Patients admitted to hospital as an emergency at the weekend have a higher chance of dying than those who are brought in during the week, according to a study which showed that the death rate among emergency admissions increased by 7% at the weekend. Staffing levels are often lower at weekends, with fewer senior medical staff around, and some specialist services are less available. This may be contributing to the increase in mortality rates on Saturdays and Sundays. As well as lower staffing levels in hospitals, there may be a reduced service in specialist community and primary care services at the weekend, which may result in some terminally ill patients being admitted to hospital and dying there (instead of at home) at the weekends.