Healthy Skepticism Library item: 12763

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Kmietowicz Z.
Make patient safety part of everyday routines, says watchdog
BMJ 2008 Feb 9; 336:(7639):294
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/336/7639/294?etoc

Abstract:

Weak leadership, ineffective management, and poor use of systematic information are the key reasons that patient safety is put seriously at risk in English NHS trusts, says a report from the health service watchdog.

NHS trust boards in England also fail on patient safety because it is unclear who is responsible for maintaining safety, and staff feel unable to speak out when problems occur, says the Healthcare Commission.

The report looks at 13 investigations carried out by the commission between August 2004 and April 2007.

A common trend in failing trusts has been that NHS boards concentrate on some of their activities, such as the delivery of targets or mergers, at the expense of others, says the report.

The commission says all organisations need to deliver both on objectives and on the basics of quality of care and safety, not either or.

Anna Walker-the commission’s chief executive-said, “Good leadership means . .