8,000 deaths from medical mishaps

THERE may be up to 8,000 deaths every year as a result of medical negligence and medical accidents in Irish hospitals, a major conference on clinical and medical negligence heard yesterday.

Patient Focus’s Jim Reilly said the figure was based on international evidence and indicated that a major culture shift was needed in Ireland’s healthcare system.

The conference was organised by Action Against Medical Accidents (AvMA), supported by Patient Focus.