Bosses at west Hertfordshire hospitals are drawing-up plans to increase the number of junior doctors on duty – as part of a continuing drive to ensure patients are no more likely to die at the weekend.

Nationally, data has suggested hospital patients are more likely to die at the weekend than on a weekday.

The gap between weekend and weekday mortality rates was highlighted at a meeting of the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust board on September 2.

In a report to the board, the potential "failure to reduce the gap" between weekend and weekday mortality was identified as one of the risks facing the trust.

The trust's chief medical officer has outlined the steps the trust has taken and intends to take to ensure adequate care is provided at weekends.

Mike van der Watt said: "The latest national statistical data provided by an organisation called Dr Foster shows that our mortality rates compare extremely well across weekends and the weekday both regionally and also nationally.

"The figures show that the trust has made good progress towards seven day working."

According to data from March 2021 published by Dr Foster and supplied by the trust, the overall hospital standardised mortality rate – or HSMR – for the trust was 102.5, compared to a national figure of 103.

The weekday emergency HSMR for the trust was reported as 100.8, compared to a national figure of 101.6, while the weekend emergency HSMR was 104.2, compared to 108.5 nationally.

HSMR is a ratio that compares the number of actual deaths recorded at a hospital with the rate that could be expected.

Mr van der Watt continued: "We provide a cardiology, respiratory and gastroenterology seven day consultant cover walk-around for our urgent care patients which increases our specialist review of patients at the weekends.

"We have introduced an intensive therapy unit (ITU) outreach service which reviews whether our deteriorating patients would benefit from ITU care.

"Our consultants also carry out twice daily reviews of our more unwell or unstable patients.

"We are reviewing our weekend medical staffing levels and working to increase the number of junior doctors available at that time."