“The high number of incidents at Mid Staffordshire Hospital provoked the Government into commissioning an independent report, carried out by Robert Francis QC, a barrister specialising in the NHS and medical negligence. He concluded his report with 290 recommendations which called for a culture change across the NHS. The Government has responded to the report in full but the main measures to change the culture of the NHS permanently is based on four principles.
“The system must be more honest with patients about the care they are receiving. A new statutory duty of candour will ensure that patients and regulators will be told when mistakes have been made. This new legal obligation means that doctors or nurses who are not candid or are dishonest about the care they are providing could be struck-off. A new independent complaints procedure will be set up and any hospitals which have not been open with patients and their families at the earliest opportunity will risk having their indemnity from litigation awards reduced or even removed. As an MP I occasionally, but thankfully not frequently, receive emails and letters about constituents’ concerns. The Government’s proposals will ensure that there is more independence and transparency in the complaints process and in the information provided to patients from the outset.
“Staff are the heart of the NHS. There have been too many incidents of medical staff and ‘whistleblowers’ being ignored or neglected instead of supported. If staff are supported better, they will provide better care for patients. Already, NHS Trusts are planning to recruit 3700 more nurses. The Government is also bringing in a ‘Care Certificate’ so that even the most basic level of care will be given by someone who is qualified to provide that care.
“After the Mid-Staffordshire scandal came to light, the Government realised that there was no structure for regulators. The new Care Quality Commission will allow for Ofsted-style inspections and ratings for every hospital to ensure that if fundamental standards are not achieved we get to know. Any hospital that falls below the required standards could be prosecuted. This will restore confidence in hospitals, as well as giving patients and their families more information to choose the place best suited for their needs. A team will also be allocated to ensure the turnaround of underperforming hospitals. Autonomy of those hospitals will be suspended until standards are raised to ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.
“Too often in the past we have heard of staff neglecting vulnerable patients but the Government’s proposals will make it a criminal offence for staff to neglect patients, as well as for staff to publish false or misleading information. Unfit directors will be barred from boards and unfit healthcare workers will be prohibited from working in the health care sector.
“The publication of the Francis Report and the Government’s response to it shows that many of the recommendations are already being acted on by this Government. Public confidence in this aspect of the NHS must be restored and a new culture of transparency must be encouraged.”