NHS Confederation welcomes Dr Penny Dash’s review into patient safety

Responding to Dr Penny Dash’s review of patient safety across the health and care landscape, Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 

“Patient empowerment is crucial to the success of the government’s Ten-Year Health Plan. It is absolutely vital that when things do go wrong there are ways for patients to report it and for NHS organisations to learn from mistakes. 

“Our members fully recognise the importance of making sure the voice of patients and their wider communities in how their services and planned and delivered is listened to, and that the feedback they give guides and shapes where improvements need to be made.

“NHS leaders will welcome Dr Penny Dash’s review, which supports the direction of the Ten-Year Health Plan in streamlining the role of the centre and devolving accountability to local leaders, while giving the public the tools to make informed choices about their care.

“The government has already announced plans to reduce costs from within the NHS, so it is understandable that some consolidation may be needed around the way national standards are set too. Any opportunity to reduce duplication should be welcomed, particularly where any money saved can be invested back into frontline care. 

“However, NHS leaders would encourage the government to not forget the failings in care that led to these bodies being set up in the first place and tread carefully so as to ensure their vital missions continue in future. Staff and patients will still need safe spaces where they can speak up.

“Given the importance of patient feedback informing the design and delivery of care, and following the abolition of Healthwatch England and local Healthwatches, NHS leaders would encourage the government to ensure ICBs and local authorities taking on these functions are adequately supported and resourced to do so effectively.”