HOSPITALS in the region have recorded dozens of basic, preventable mistakes that should never happen, including surgical instruments left inside patients and operations being carried out on the wrong body part.

In the last four years, scores of patients at hospitals in the region suffered so-called ‘never events’, which are serious, largely preventable patient safety incidents, according to figures obtained by Freedom of Information requests.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recorded seven never events during the four-year period.

Professor Tricia Hart, the trust’s chief executive, said the incidents were inexcusable.

She added: “We want people to feel safe when they are in our care and fortunately, the vast majority of people do receive excellent care.

“We do have a strong patient culture in this organisation and our focus is to drive never events out by robustly reviewing all of our systems and processes associated with a never event, rigorously following up any actions identified in the investigation to see if any further lessons can be learned, and, importantly, try to prevent them from happening.”

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust recorded six never events over the four years.

Sue Smith, director of nursing, patient safety and quality, said: “We have an open culture of reporting and all staff, regardless of grade, are encouraged to report their concerns in the interest of patient safety.

“All incidents are investigated and lessons are shared and learned. We are also open with the patient about incidents including never events, regardless of whether or not they caused harm to the patient.”