National Audit of Hospital Mortality Annual Report 2022-2023

NOCA published the eighth report from the National Audit of Hospital Mortality on the 28th August 2025. There are six key diagnoses: acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure, ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia included in the 2021 report. These diagnoses were chosen because they have the highest burden on the health service, and its patients, and have the largest numbers of cases admitted to hospital nationally.

Analysis of the data for 2022-2023 shows a significant decline in crude in-hospital mortality rates for AMI, heart failure, and both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke over the past 10 years.

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Key Findings

Analysis of the data for 2022-2023 shows a significant decline in crude in-hospital mortality rates for AMI (Acute Myocardial Infarction), heart failure, and both ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke over the past 10 years. Mortality from COPD has returned to pre-pandemic levels after a temporary rise during COVID-19, while pneumonia mortality has also decreased substantially since its 2021 peak. Overall in-hospital mortality across all diagnoses fell in 2022-2023 but remains above pre-pandemic levels. Preliminary analysis on health inequalities highlights potential links between mortality and factors such as age, sex, and socioeconomic status, with further work planned to deepen understanding.