NHS Empathy Linked to Better Patient Safety as Trust in Care Falls to 25-Year Low

A University of Leicester study found that higher empathy scores in NHS trusts predict significantly better safety ratings. For every 2.5% rise in empathy, hospitals saw 76% higher odds of strong Care Quality Commission assessments. The finding arrives as patient satisfaction hit 36% in 2022—lowest since 1997. Better empathy also cut agency staff spending and boosted staff wellbeing.