Response to the Queen’s Speech

Responding to today’s Queen’s Speech, Dr Liam Brennan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: 

“We are pleased to see a draft Patient Safety Bill included in today’s Queen’s Speech.

“Improving the safety and quality of care being provided to patients must be a priority.

“We need to embed a no-blame learning environment into the NHS which prioritises the safety of patients and the training of staff to ensure the sustainability of NHS services. 

“As a profession, we must learn from mistakes when they do happen. 

“Ensuring the independence of a Health Service Safety Investigation Body will facilitate the ‘safe space’ needed for honest and open conversations to take place.

“As with medicine, prevention is better than cure. The best way to limit mistakes in hospitals is to ensure staff are provided with the right tools and the right working environment. 

“As well as providing the investment the NHS needs, simple changes like providing food and drink and a place to rest after a long-shift, can make a real difference and help reduce fatigue which impacts on the safety of patients and staff.

“In partnership with the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland and NHS Improvement, we have formed the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG).  SALG has been established to review anaesthesia specific incidents reported to NHS England and other UK national healthcare safety bodies. 

“Anaesthesia is a safety-led specialty and we are committed to continuing quality improvement and professional development to improve the care we are providing patients.”