Jump to content
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    11,906

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Patient Safety Learning

Administrators

 Content Type 

Everything posted by Patient Safety Learning

  1. News Article
    Sick children’s health problems are getting worse as record numbers wait up to 18 months for NHS care, doctors treating them have warned. The number of under-18s on the waiting list for paediatric care in England has soared to 423,500, the highest on record. Of those, 23,396 have been forced to wait over a year for their appointment. Delays facing children and young people are now so common that Dr Jeanette Dickson, the chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the body representing all UK doctors professionally, warned that children are “the forgotten casualties of the NHS’s waiting list crisis”. “As a paediatrician, I’ve seen first hand the damaging impact that long waiting times have on children, on their education and overall wellbeing, and of course on their families,” said Dr Camilla Kingdon, the president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH). The figures came from the RCPCH’s analysis of official performance data recently published by NHS England. The health of some children was deteriorating while they languished on the waiting list because their illness and age meant they needed to have their treatment fast, Kingdon added. “Many treatments and interventions must be administered within specific age or developmental stages. No one wants to wait for treatment, but children’s care is frequently time-critical.” Read full story Source: The Guardian, 17 September 2023
  2. Content Article Comment
    @heather.stuart @FIONA ELLWOOD Heather and Fiona, we'll get you both signed up to the Network and on the meeting mailing list.
  3. Content Article Comment
    @lzipperer Yes, Letter from America: Tomorrow is Another Day springs to mind!
  4. Content Article
    Family-activated medical emergency teams (MET) have the potential to improve the timely recognition of clinical deterioration and reduce preventable adverse events. Adoption of family-activated METs is hindered by concerns that the calls may substantially increase MET workload. Brady et al. aimed to develop a reliable process for family activated METs and to evaluate its effect on MET call rate and subsequent transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).
  5. Content Article
    In this blog to mark World Patient Safety Day 2023, Patient Safety Learning sets out the scale of avoidable harm in health and social care, highlights the need for a transformation in our approach to patient safety and considers the theme of this year’s World Patient Safety Day, ‘Engaging patients for patient safety’.
  6. News Article
    Children who have not been vaccinated against measles may have to enter isolation for 21 days if a classmate becomes infected. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) predict the capital alone could see 160,000 cases occur as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates are at the lowest in a decade. Both Haringey and Barnet Council wrote to parents to tell them any unvaccinated child who comes into close contact with a measles case could be asked to self-isolate for up to 21 days. This week statistics from NHS England show that across the country more than 102,000 children aged four and five starting in reception are not protected against catching measles, mumps and rubella. 32,000 children in London alone aren’t vaccinated, reveal NHS England, and just three-quarters of children in the capital have received the two required doses of the MMR jab, which protects against measles. This is 10% lower than the national average. Measles is highly infectious and if left unvaccinated nine out of ten children in a classroom will catch the disease if just one child is infectious. Read full story Source: The Independent, 15 September 2023
  7. Content Article
    In this video to mark World Patient Safety Day 2023, Hester Wain, head of patient safety policy at NHS England, visits Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to find out about their work to introduce Patient Safety Partners. As part of the NHS Patient Safety Strategy and Framework for involving patients in patient safety, Patient Safety Partners, who are patients, family members or carers, are being recruited by NHS organisations across the country to support them to improve patient safety and elevate the voice of patients. Milton Keynes have been brilliantly implementing their work in this area, and in this video, Hester talks to staff across the trust, including the Patient Safety Partners, about their work and how they are supporting the trust to improve care.
  8. Content Article
    In this podcast for World Patient Safety Day, NHS England speaks to John, who was previously extensively involved in the safe design and operation of hazardous chemical plants and has a passion for human factors and safety culture. John shares his insights on why it is so important for patients and families to be listened to, and details of his experience in supporting the NHS to improve safety.
  9. Content Article
    As this year’s World Patient Safety Day celebrates the theme ‘Engaging patients for patient safety’, Dr Alan Fletcher, the National Medical Examiner for England and Wales, explains the connection between medical examiners and patient safety, and particularly the support they provide for bereaved people, whose insights and experiences can be crucial in supporting the NHS to learn and improve.
  10. News Article
    Leaders of two maternity services have been told to take urgent action, after inspectors found understaffing and declining levels of care, despite safety warnings from midwives. Maternity services at University Hospital North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital have been downgraded from “good” to “inadequate” in Care Quality Commission reports, published today. The CQC noted a “concerning deterioration” in the care the two services provided, despite midwives telling managers they felt the service was unsafe. Sue Jacques, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals, said the CQC’s findings would be taken “extremely seriously”. The reports also said staff reported “feeling ‘frozen out’ or that their concerns were ignored by leaders” and that staff felt “‘continuity of carer’ was the trust’s main focus, despite depleted safe staffing levels, skill mix, and staff being pulled in to cover acute areas on a frequent basis”. Last year, trusts were told not to pursue continuity of carer models – which were previously championed by NHS England – unless they had adequate staffing levels to do so safely. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 15 September 2023
  11. News Article
    Women are being unnecessarily alarmed about their risk of breast cancer by consumer genetic test results that do not take family history into account, researchers have said. Women who discover outside a clinical setting that they carry a disease-causing variant of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes may be told that their risk of breast cancer is 60-80%. But analysis of UK Biobank data suggests the risk could be less than 20% for those who do not have a close relative with the condition. Dr Leigh Jackson, of the University of Exeter’s medical school, who is the lead author of the analysis published in the journal eClinical Medicine, said that in extreme cases this could result in women unnecessarily undergoing surgery. “Being told you are at high genetic risk of disease can really influence levels of fear of a particular condition and the resulting action you may take,” he said. “Up to 80% risk of developing breast cancer is very different from 20%.” Until recently, women who received BRCA results did so because they had attended clinic due to symptoms or a family history of disease. However, an increasing number are now learning of their genetic risk after paying for home DNA testing kits or taking part in genetic research, without ever having any personal link with breast cancer. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 15 September 2023
  12. News Article
    A London coroner has warned the health secretary that preventable child suicides are likely to increase unless the government provides more funding for mental health services. Nadia Persaud, the east London area coroner, told Steve Barclay that the suicide of Allison Aules, 12, in July 2022 highlighted the risk of similar deaths “unless action is taken”. In a damning prevention of future deaths report addressed to Barclay, NHS England and two royal colleges, Persaud said the “under-resourcing of CAMHS [child and adolescent mental health services] contributed to delays in Allison being assessed by the mental health team”. An inquest into Allison’s death last month found that a series of failures by North East London NHS foundation trust (NELFT) contributed to her death. In her report, Persaud said delays and errors that emerged in the inquest exposed wider concerns about funding and recruitment problems in mental health services. “The failings occurred with a children and adolescent mental health service which was significantly under-resourced. Under-resourcing of CAMHS services is not confined to this local trust but is a matter of national concern,” she said. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 14 September 2023
  13. Content Article
    Chris Wardley has shared his useful summary of Learn Together's '5 stage process' in involving patients and families in patient safety investigations.
  14. Content Article
    Changing our services so that more care is provided in community settings and people can leave hospital when they are fit for discharge has been an explicit policy aim for decades. Other, similar countries have been on the same mission and have had more success. Why might this be? This new analysis from the Nuffield Trust looks internationally at how our performance compares and how other countries have succeeded in building up community health and care services to understand what England might learn.
  15. Event
    Dedicating WPSD 2023 to patient engagement presents a unique opportunity to unite stakeholders and drive action across healthcare settings and at all levels of the healthcare system. Patient safety is a universal concern that transcends borders and cultures, emphasizing the shared imperative of reinforcing patient safety through patient empowerment. T This webinar aspires to bring patient voices and experiences to the attention of decision makers. It further aims to empower patients and families to be bold and step forward to share their experience of harm so that lessons learnt can be used to mitigate future harm T This programme will focus on the perspectives of patients, paying tribute to those who have experienced avoidable harm from unsafe care. The goal is to raise awareness about the significance of patient engagement in improving healthcare safety and to provide a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share experiences, and discuss effective strategies for patient engagement in patient safety. Register
  16. Event
    Patient safety is a paramount concern in healthcare systems worldwide. Empowering patients and their families to actively participate in the process of care and pharmacovigilance contributes significantly to reducing medical errors and adverse events. This webinar proposes an exploration of the crucial role patients and families play in enhancing patient engagement and pharmacovigilance, ultimately leading to improved patient safety and better healthcare outcomes. Objectives of the webinar: Raise awareness on patient safety amongst stakeholders. Help to understand the role of all stakeholders in medication safety. Strengthen awareness of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan, Strategic Objective 4: Patient & Family Engagement Engage and educate patients and families to become the patient advocates for patient safety. Intended audience: The intended audience includes patients, caregivers, patient advocates, patient-led organisations, civil society organisations and NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists and pharmacies, HCPs, regulators etc. Register
  17. Content Article
    On 3 August 2022 an investigation was carried out into the death of Allison Vivian Jacome Aules. Allison was 12 years old when she passed away on the 19 July 2022. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on the 17 August 2023. The conclusion was that Allison died as a result of suicide, contributed to by neglect.
  18. News Article
    The WHO-hosted global conference on patient safety and patient engagement concluded yesterday with agreement across a broad range of stakeholders on a first-ever Patient safety rights charter. It outlines the core rights of all patients in the context of safety of healthcare and seeks to assist governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the voices of patients are heard and their right to safe health care is protected. “Patient safety is a collective responsibility. Health systems must work hand-in-hand with patients, families, and communities, so that patients can be informed advocates in their own care, and every person can receive the safe, dignified, and compassionate care they deserve,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Because if it’s not safe, it’s not care.” "Our health systems are stronger, our work is empowered, and our care is safer when patients and families are alongside us,” said Sir Liam Donaldson, WHO Patient Safety Envoy. “The journey to eliminate avoidable harm in health care has been a long one, and the stories of courage and compassion from patients and families who have suffered harm are pivotal to driving change and learning to be even safer." The global conference on patient engagement for patient safety was the key event to mark World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) which will be observed on 17 September under the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety”. Meaningful involvement of patients, families and caregivers in the provision of health care, and their experiences and perspectives, can contribute to enhancing health care safety and quality, saving lives and reducing costs, and the WPSD aims to promote and accelerate better patient and family engagement in the design and delivery of safe health services. At the conference, held on 12 and 13 September, WHO unveiled two new resources to support key stakeholders in implementing involvement of patients, families and caregivers in the provision of health care. Drawing on the power of patient stories, which is one of the most effective mechanisms for driving improvements in patient safety, a storytelling toolkit will guide patients and families through the process of sharing their experiences, especially those related to harmful events within health care. The Global Knowledge Sharing Platform, created as part of a strategic partnership with SingHealth Institute for Patient Safety and Quality Singapore, supports the exchange of global resources, best practices, tools and resources related to patient safety, acknowledging the pivotal role of knowledge sharing in advancing safety. “Patient engagement and empowerment is at the core of the Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021–2030. It is one of the most powerful tools to improve patient safety and the quality of care, but it remains an untapped resource in many countries, and the weakest link in the implementation of patient safety measures and strategies. With this World Patient Safety Day and the focus on patient engagement, we want to change that”, said Dr Neelam Dhingra, head of the WHO Patient Safety Flagship. Read full story Source: WHO, 14 September 2023
  19. News Article
    Women are being "failed at every stage" when it comes to maternity care, say campaigners, as they call for more support for those experiencing traumatic births. Mumsnet found 79% of the 1,000 women who answered their questionnaire had experienced some form of birth trauma, with 53% saying it had put them off from having more children. And according to the snapshot of UK mothers, 44% also said healthcare professionals had used language implying they were "a failure or to blame" for what happened. Conservative MP Theo Clarke is leading calls for more action after her own experience, where she thought she was "going to die" after suffering a third degree tear and needing emergency surgery. Now, she has set up an all party parliamentary group on birth trauma. She said: "[It is] clear that more compassion, education and better after-care for mothers who suffer birth trauma are desperately needed if we are to see an improvement in mums' physical wellbeing and mental health. "It is vitally important women receive the help and support they deserve." Chief executive of Mumsnet, Justine Roberts, said the trauma had "long-lasting effects", adding: "It's clear that women are being failed at every stage of the maternity care process - with too little information provided beforehand, a lack of compassion from staff during birth, and substandard postnatal care for mothers' physical and mental health." Read full story Source: Sky News, 15 September 2023
  20. News Article
    The NHS still relies heavily on paper notes, with experts warning they are not as safe or efficient as electronic records. It comes after a survey by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) found the majority of NHS trusts are still using paper, despite 88% of all trusts in England being equipped with electronic patient record (EPR) systems. Of 182 trusts, 4% said they only use paper notes, while 25% are fully electronic. Some 71% use both paper and an EPR system. Of the 172 trusts that responded to questions on prescriptions, 9% said they only use paper drug charts, 27% are fully electronic, and 64% use a mixture. Writing for the BMJ, freelance journalist and doctor Jo Best argued that the continued reliance on paper is less safe and efficient, while difficulties around sharing electronic records could be preventing even the most advanced trusts from realising their full potential. Read full story Source: The Independent, 14 September 2023
  21. News Article
    Millions of women and girls experience debilitating periods, yet nearly one-third never seek medical help, and more than half say their symptoms are not taken seriously, according to research. A survey of 3,000 women and girls for the Wellbeing of Women charity found that they are often dismissed as “just having a period”, despite experiencing severe pain, heavy bleeding and irregular cycles that can lead to mental health problems. Almost all of those surveyed, who were between 16 and 40 years old and based in the UK, had experienced period pain (96%), with 59% saying their pain was severe. 91% had experienced heavy periods, with 49% saying their bleeding was severe. Prof Dame Lesley Regan, the chair of Wellbeing of Women, said: “It’s simply unacceptable that anyone is expected to suffer with period symptoms that disrupt their lives, including taking time off school, work, or their caring responsibilities, all of which may result in avoidable mental health problems. “Periods should not affect women’s lives in this way. If they do, it can be a sign of a gynaecological condition that requires attention and ongoing support – not dismissal.” Wellbeing of Women has launched its “Just a Period” campaign, which Regan said aims to address “the many years of medical bias, neglect and stigma in women’s health”. This includes tips on how to get the most out of seeing your GP and what women should do if they feel they have been dismissed. Read full story Source: The Guardian, 14 September 2023
  22. Content Article
    A series of podcasts from Molnlycke UK, with host Steve Feast, discussing topics such as sustainability, patient safety and more.
  23. News Article
    A record 7.68 million people are on a hospital waiting list in England, figures show. The total at the end of July represents nearly one in seven people and is a jump of more than 100,000 in a month. The rising number means the prime minister's pledge to bring down waiting lists is under threat. The government has blamed strikes for adding to the pressures facing the NHS. It comes as ministers have announced an extra £200m for the NHS this winter. Health Secretary Steve Barclay said he wanted to see "high impact" interventions to help the NHS get through winter. Read full story Source: BBC News, 14 September 2023
  24. News Article
    The government has backed Martha’s rule, a campaign to give families and patients the right to a second assessment if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. Health secretary Steve Barclay said ministers are “committed” to implementing the rule, insisting the case for it is “compelling”. Martha Mills died after developing sepsis while under the care of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in south London. Mr Barclay said the case set out by Ms Mills, was “compelling”. “For everyone that has heard it, it is an absolutely heartbreaking case,” he told the BBC. Mr Barclay said: “I’m determined that we ensure we learn the lessons from it and very keen to learn from best international practice.” Mr Barclay said there are “international lessons”, particularly from Ryan’s Rule in Australia, giving patients a direct line to a second opinion. “And I particularly want to give much more credence to the voice of patients,” Mr Barclay said. He added: “I think a key part of this measure is ensuring that patients feel heard and can get a second opinion.” Read full story Source: The Independent, 14 September 2023
  25. News Article
    Ambulance chiefs say handover delays have got worse at some trusts in recent months, despite the picture improving nationally since last winter. A report from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives says there are continuing concerns about handover delays at emergency departments. Jason Killens, the body’s lead chief executive for operations, told HSJ: “There’s been some improvement [at some sites] since February, but what we’ve also seen is a commensurate or bigger decay in other sites across that same period.” Mr Killens said “it’s difficult to be precise” about why some trusts have struggled more than others but that challenged hospitals are often affected by “pathway issues” including delayed discharges. “And then maybe there are challenges around stable leadership or the visibility of the leadership, the culture there about managing that risk dynamically, and so on,” he added. Read full story (paywalled) Source: HSJ, 14 September 2023
×
×
  • Create New...