Policy paper: Learning not blaming: response to 3 reports on patient safety

Policy paper: Learning not blaming: response to 3 reports on patient safety This report sets out the government’s position on:

• the Freedom to Speak Up review by Sir Robert Francis QC: we are improving the incentives for staff to speak out against poor quality care in the NHS
• the Public Administration Select Committee report ‘Investigating clinical incidents in the NHS’: we are setting up an independent agency to investigate patient safety incidents
• Dr Bill Kirkup’s independent report on the Morecambe Bay Investigation: we are modernising the supervision of midwifery

The 3 reports cover distinct areas, and the government response addresses the points and recommendations raised in each report. There are some themes common to each report, including the importance of:

• openness, honesty and candour
• listening to patients, families and staff
• finding and facing the truth
• learning from errors and failures in care
• people and professionalism

Department of Health

See also:

• Statement to Parliament: Improving the safety culture in the NHS  Department of Health
• News story: Jeremy Hunt announces new measures to improve safety across NHS Department of Health