6,882 cases of incorrect or missed medication in 2010

ALMOST 7,000 incidents of medication errors by doctors and nurses were reported to the State Claims Agency (SCA) last year.

Figures from the SCA show that 6,882 separate incidents involving either incorrect or missed medication were reported in 2010 — a 17% decrease on the previous year.

Almost one fifth of cases involved patients being given the incorrect dosage, while 15% of incidents related to patients not being given their medication at the due time. A further 11% of cases were linked to mistakes in giving patients the wrong medicine.