Press release: NHS Confederation Comment on "Safety First"

15 Dec 2006

Dr Gill Morgan, Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation which represents more than 90 per cent of NHS organisations, said:

"We welcome the publication of today's report and the emphasis that it places on the need to embed safety as a priority for NHS organisations at all levels. Patient safety is not just the priority of management - it is the responsibility of every member of staff at every level of NHS trusts and needs to be viewed in this way.

"The report acknowledges that there has been progress in improving patient safety, but quite rightly concludes that there is still further work to be done in this area.

"More than one million people are treated by the NHS every 36 hours and for the vast majority their treatment goes smoothly. But, if a patient has suffered adverse effects as a result of their treatment, it is vital that we learn the lessons and prevent mistakes from happening again. It is also vital that incidents are reported in a consistent and timely manner. This is the starting point for the open and honest culture which we want to see within the NHS.

"We particularly welcome the call to refocus the energies of the National Patient Safety Agency to concentrate on collecting and analysing patient safety information through its National Reporting and Learning System. It is only through learning from mistakes that the NHS will be able to improve the service it offers to patients."

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 90% of the organisations that make up the NHS. Its members include the majority of NHS acute trusts, ambulance trusts, foundation trusts, mental health trusts, primary care trusts, special health authorities and strategic health authorities in England; trusts and local health boards in Wales; and health and social service trusts and boards in Northern Ireland.

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