Thousands feel unwell as a result going into hospital

Nearly 160,000 people feel more unwell when they go into hospital because of poor NHS standards, it has been claimed.

Amongst normal patients around eight per cent pick up infections and injuries while on hospital wards, but the rate amongst older people is close to one in ten.

According to official NHS figures 159,946 people suffered from falls, sores, bladder infections, deep vein thrombosis or blood clots while in hospital between May 2012 and April this year.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said the patients having to endure a preventable injury or condition while attempting to recover from an existing one on NHS wards is "scandalous".

"This care deficit is leading to basic, but often serious and hugely painful, conditions. There is no excuse for poor care. Trusts have a duty to drive down the huge numbers of these terrible experiences and be accountable where they are falling short," she added.

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