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A campaign to prevent 1,000 avoidable deaths is being launched by the NHS in Wales.
All NHS Trusts and Local Health Boards in the country have signed up to the voluntary campaign, called 1,000 Lives.
It aims to reduce risks to patients by cutting the number of infections, improving the management of medication, and improving general medical care.
Dr Jonathon Gray of the Wales Centre for Health, co-director of the campaign, said: “More than one in 10 people admitted to hospital are harmed unintentionally by its care.
“It is believed there is a one in 300 chance of accidental death through errors in care. Many of us know of people who have not had the standard of healthcare they need in hospital or primary care.”
It is hoped the campaign will prevent up to 50,000 incidents of harm to patients in the next two years, as well as saving 1,000 lives in the same period.
Fellow co-director Dr Alan Willson, of the National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare, said: “By taking a national approach we can implement lasting ways of working which will provide a systematic and consistently high standard for people throughout Wales.”
A similar project is due to be launched in England later this year.
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