Up to 12,000 patients may have been put at risk by check-up failure

Thousands of patients may have been put at risk after failing to be given crucial hospital appointments, an independent review claims.

The investigation, ordered by Portsmouth Hospital trust, found almost 12,000 patients may have been put at “significant clinical risk” because they did not have planned check-ups, after undergoing procedures.

Worst affected treatment areas were gastroenterology, ophthalmology and cardiology, the report, seen by the Health Service Journal, found,

The independent report by MBI Health Group said: “It is highly likely patients have come to clinical harm as a consequence of not receiving follow-up care or checks.”

It also suggested that more than 800 patients waiting for treatment had fallen off waiting lists.

Hospital data shows 7,870 patients had been referred for non-urgent treatment, but only 7,051 were on lists – leaving the extra 819 patients unaccounted for.

The report said there was a “lack of grip” around the booking of urgent patients

And it said it was concerned that the NHS trust’s reported waiting times were not accurate, and should be longer.

Under NHS targets, at least 92 per cent of patients should get routine

hospital treatment within 18 weeks. But the Portsmouth trust has failed to meet the target since June 2016.

The trust said there was no evidence patients had come to find, and it said it had questions about the findings, which it was now investigating.

A Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: “This report has flagged some important issues but there are questions about the entirety of their findings, and these are under interrogation.

“We ensure our patients are prioritised by clinical need and the hospital Trust is committed to providing the very best care for each and every patient.”