Safety

2022 - Position statement - Safe staffing
Safe staffing refers to having enough members of staff with the values and skills to deliver high quality care to patients. Safe staffing is a system wide issue. A trained, competent, and supported workforce with sufficient numbers to deliver high quality patient centred care is an essential component of patient safety. Without an adequate workforce, patient care and safety are compromised. This position statement outlines the views of the Patients Association on safe staffing.

2022 - Consultation response - Fixed recoverable costs
We responded to proposals to limit the legal costs that people can recover when they have been harmed by the NHS, pointing out the dangers of excluding people from justice.

2021 - Consultation response - The appointment and operation of the Patient Safety Commissioner
We argued for the arrangements for the Commissioner's appointment and operation to guarantee their independence as securely as possible, and expressed disappointment that the role will not cover all aspects of patient safety.

2021 - Consultation response - CQC strategy
Responding to CQC's draft strategy, we welcomed the strong patient focus and recommended greater clarity on how success would be evaluated.

2020 - Consultation response - Framework for involving patients in patient safety
We responded to the consultation on the draft framework for involving patients in patient safety. The response is a PDF automaticlaly generated by the online questionnaire.

2020 - Consultation response - Draft Complaints Standards Framework
We responded to PHSO's online questionnaire about its draft Complaints Standards Framework.

2020 - Premature discharge from hospital
This report describes the experiences of patients who were discharged from hospital when they were not well enough.

2020 - Policy statement - PHSO
The current formal statement of the Patients Association's position on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

2020 - Consultation response - Response to NHS Improvement's consultation on the Patient Safety Specialist role
We welcome the creation of the new role, and call for it to be empowered to lead effectively on safety within NHS Trusts.

Latest

Supporting patient engagement and revitalising Patient Participation Groups

We have completed an exciting initiative in partnership with the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) to support patient engagement and revitalise Patient Participation Groups post pandemic.
New project focuses on improving health equity

Bristol Myers Squibb awards the Patients Association grant to research how to improve access to healthcare for patients affected by health inequalities.
The Untold Patient Stories: Shedding the light on the realities of life with a long-term condition

The Patients Association is running a webinar to support Future Health’s campaign, The Forgotten Majority. This important campaign aims to raise awareness among policy representatives from Government and other political parties, as well as other key stakeholders, about the real life every day challenges faced by people with long-term health conditions and advocate for meaningful policy change as we approach the General Election.
Prioritising patient partnership: A call to action for the next Government

The British Social Attitudes survey showed public satisfaction with the NHS is at an all-time low. We’re calling on the next Government to treat patients as true partners in their health as a key way to improve patients’ experiences of healthcare.

New project focuses on improving health equity

Bristol Myers Squibb awards the Patients Association grant to research how to improve access to healthcare for patients affected by health inequalities.
Martha's Rule - a major step for patient partnership

The Government has confirmed Martha's Rule will be introduced in 100 NHS sites across England beginning in April 2024.
Ensuring patient and family concerns are central to the recognition and management of acute illness and deterioration

This webinar explored work into making sure the worries and concerns of patients, their family and friends about a patient in hospital are taken into account by doctors, nurses and other health professionals.
The Patients Association launches general election manifesto

The next Government must ensure people are able to get the care they need. Reversing the normalisation of the crisis the NHS faces and rebuilding the service's relationship with patients must be addressed. Our manifesto spells out how to make that happen.
We must act to prevent unfair care

State of Care, the annual review of health and social care in England, describes services in decline and inequality on the rise. The decline must be halted.
Winter is coming - the BMA and Government must return to talks

As the next round of strikes by doctors begin, we call once again on the BMA and the Government to return to talks to end the dispute.
The critical role of patient partnership in patient safety

Yesterday was World Patient Safety Day and Chair Ann Lloyd Keen RN NDN FQNI FAAN FRCN reflects on how safety is improved in healthcare settings when patients are involved in their care.
Patients Association statement on planned industrial action

Our statement on the planned strikes by junior doctors and consultants, and our fears for patient safety and well-being.
Fears for patient safety during junior doctors' strike

Junior doctors will go on strike on Tuesday 11th April for four days. Junior doctors are qualified doctors and they make up nearly half of the medical workforce. The Patients Association is fearful of how their absence from hospitals across England will affect patient safety.
Things to consider when deciding about taking antibiotics

These resources focus on when a patient is in the hospital, but they may also be used as a helpful reminder whenever you are considering taking antibiotics.

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