Press release: NHS Confederation responds to Healthcare Commission's investigation into Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells

10 Oct 2007

Commenting on the healthcare commission's findings, Dr Gill Morgan the Chief Executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents 95% of the organisations that make up the NHS, said:

"The findings of the Healthcare Commission's report make for very disappointing reading.  Such system failure does not reflect a general picture of leadership in the NHS. 

"Tackling healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) is one of the top priorities for every NHS board and our members work very hard in dealing with them.  As the report shows though, it is important to learn from those occasions when things go wrong and make sure that it does not happen again.

"The Healthcare Commission now has an annual health check which provides management with vital information and direction on HCAIs.  Similarly, at the Confederation, we are preparing a program of work to support boards."

 

Notes for editors

1. The NHS Confederation represents more than 95% 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.

Contact details

2. Contact Joanna Clason (media relations manager) 020 7074 3306 or 077 9857 1078, Niall Smith 020 7074 3304 or 077 6777 0309 or Ruth Kennedy 020 7074 3312 or 078 8447 3086.  For out of hours media enquiries, please call the Duty Press Officer on 07880 500726.

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