Health Secretary gives evidence on NHS complaints and clinical failure
25 February 2015
The Public Administration Select Committee (PASC) holds its third and final evidence session in their inquiry into how clinical failure and complaints are handled in the NHS.
- Parliament TV: NHS complaints and clinical failure
- Inquiry: NHS complaints and clinical failure
- Public Administration Select Committee
The inquiry considers how incidents of clinical failure in the NHS are investigated—and how subsequent complaints are handled. There is suggestion that the culture of investigating clinical failures and handling complaints in the NHS is too focussed on apportioning blame and avoiding litigation, and not enough on learning and improving.
Witness
Wednesday 25 February 2015, Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House
At 4.30pm
- Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Secretary of State, Department of Health
Purpose of the session
This session will consider the Government’s approach to patient safety including both the existing systems and the likely impact of recent announcements in this area.
The Committee is considering ways that untoward clinical incidents could be investigated immediately at a local level, so that facts and evidence are established early, without the need to find blame, and regardless of whether a complaint has been raised. It is hoped that this work will reduce the need for complaints to go to the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman (PHSO), whose main role relates to administrative and service failures in the NHS in England.