Press release: The NHS landscape is transformed since the time of Bristol - local clinical leadership now needs support
18 Jul 2001
The NHS Confederation today welcomed the publication of the final report of the Bristol Inquiry. Stephen Thornton, chief executive said: " The NHS landscape in 2001 is transformed from what it was ten years ago. The NHS was moving in this direction in any event. However, there is little doubt Bristol has proved an extraordinary catalyst to improve standards in the NHS. In today's NHS we may not be able to give absolute guarantees that Bristol type mistakes will never occur, but we should be able to guarantee that they do not persist in the way they did at Bristol."
The NHS Confederation believes no part of the broad management of the NHS (governmental, organisational, clinical or managerial) would now fail to recognise clinical quality as a core concern. Stephen Thornton explained: "Before this government introduced a strategy to improve clinical quality in the NHS in 1997, it was not considered a high priority managerial or organisational concern - it tended to be the preserve of the medical profession. This is absolutely no longer the case. There has been a sea change in attitude."
Stephen Thornton said: "There is a need to really support local clinical leadership. Doctors in the management process are more and more becoming the all important bridge between management and doctors on the ground. These are the people who are raising standards, monitoring them and reporting them. There must be a climate where they feel better supported."
There is now a wide range of initiatives* in place to support and lead change in behaviour in the NHS. Mr Thornton said: "Although some of these are not fully operational and it will take some time for them all to operate in a coherent fashion, we do believe that the framework is in place. It is difficult to see anything further that needs to be added. However, there is need for greater management training and development opportunities for doctors. We look forward to the newly established NHS Leadership Centre providing this."
Commenting on the recommendation for regulation of healthcare management, he said: "This is an interesting idea. We have been calling for a code of conduct for managers and clarity about accountability. We look forward to working with Ministers on developing this thinking."
Stephen Thornton concluded: "This has been an incredibly difficult time. We hope the publication of this report marks a turning point for all the concerned families and the NHS."
Notes for editors
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