The Government has published its 12-month implementation progress update report on their response to the independent inquiry report into the issues raised by former surgeon Ian Paterson.
We welcome the progress made in responding to the issues raised by the Paterson inquiry and the commitment from the Government and stakeholders to addressing them.
We are especially supportive of the fact that both the inquiry and the Government’s response recognise the importance and value of listening to patient experiences. We also want to add our thanks and appreciation to all the patients, and families who have contributed to getting to this point.
The Government’s response refers to our report Safer care for all and its recommendations, especially around the importance of ensuring that both professional and system regulators can work together effectively in the best interests of patients. In the report we also make recommendations aimed at ensuring that regulators have the tools to address some of the specific risks arising from care provided within the independent sector which was another key theme arising from the Paterson report.
We still think that improvements are needed to the structures in place to identify and act on safety risks and prevent another Paterson. That is why in Safer care for all we have recommended creation of a Health and Social Care Safety Commissioner with responsibility for identifying current, emerging, and potential risks across the whole health and social care system, and to bring about the necessary action across organisations.
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the Editor
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
- We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
- We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
- We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
- We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
- Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.
- More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk