Patient safety culture must be ‘ingrained’ in NHS, says RCN

Published: 27 November 2009

The RCN today (27 November) responded to reports on care failings at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary, Dr Peter Carter, said there must be a culture of patient safety ingrained in all NHS organisations by strong leadership. He said:
"The RCN does not condone poor standards of care and where individuals are not providing high quality care they must be called to account. However it is clear that failures in leadership have resulted in patient safety being compromised at Basildon.
"The regulators are following due process but the public need confidence that they have teeth to take prompt and decisive action where necessary, including more unannounced inspections.
"The recent CQC inspection of the Trust found three areas of concern. Despite having lower than average rates of MRSA and Clostridium difficile, the Trust was identified as failing to put in place good hygiene control and learning as a result of clinical practice audits. Facilities management staff, nurses and contract managers all have a responsibility to ensure cleaning contracts are well managed and flexible to the needs of the Trust. There is no point auditing cleaning if the results aren't rigorously acted on.
 "It is essential that Trusts invest in clinical leadership to tackle areas of concern and deliver change where it is needed."
Ends

Notes for Editors

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php
Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.