Today, Wednesday 24 July, the Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC) launched a public consultation on a new set of principles to put patient safety at the heart of healthcare in England.
Setting out the seven principles, the PSC, Dr Henrietta Hughes, said: ‘We urgently need to overhaul patient safety in this country. To do this we need a set of principles that the whole system agrees upon to drive a change in the culture of the health system so that we listen to patients and support staff and families, carers, and healthcare professionals. Now we must work together around a common cause. These principles, if followed throughout the health system, would signal a sea change in working collaboratively and transparently with patients and everyone with a responsibility for the nation’s health.’
I welcome this consultation on the principles that underpin improvements to patient safety, launched by the Patient Safety Commissioner Dr Henrietta Hughes today. I’d encourage as many people as possible to contribute their views. Everyone has a stake in our National Health Service and it’s vitally important that we listen to patients, families, carers, and the healthcare professionals that deliver care. Coming to a shared understanding of the issues that face us is fundamental to driving change and I hope very much that these principles will provide a solid foundation on which we can collectively build improvements to patient safety.
Megan Bidder, Director of Safety and Learning at NHS Resolution
The consultation will run until 6 September and the final principles will be issued in the autumn. The PSC is seeking the views of everyone with an interest in patient safety on the draft principles, including patients, providers, regulators, and commissioners.
The principles cover a safety culture, inequalities, consent, and accountability. You can respond to the consultation at Principles of Better Patient Safety – Patient Safety Commissioner
For further information, contact Rachel Downey, Head of Communications and Engagement, Office of the Patient Safety Commissioner rachel.downey@patientsafetycommissioner.org.uk
