Following allegations from staff that West Suffolk started a finger-printing ‘witch hunt’ to identify an anonymous whistleblower, Dr Rinesh Parmar DAUK Chair talks to The Guardian after fresh concerns are raised.
If we truly believe in a just culture and the benefits this can bring for patient safety, it has to give equal importance to being fair to patients and families as staff. Cicely Cunningham, DAUK’s Learn Not Blame lead, explores what a just culture really means, with James Titcombe and Peter Walsh.
‘Focus must be on the promotion of a just culture so that healthcare professionals can truly learn from their mistakes and are encouraged to admit them’ says DAUK’s Law and Policy Officer Dr Jenny Vaughan in the BMJ this week.
DAUK’s Learn Not Blame lead Dr Cicely Cunningham was invited to speak to clinical negligence solicitors discussing where professional accountability should start and end. This was followed by a panel discussion with the QC for the Professional Standards Authority who argued at Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba’s appeal. Dr Cicely gave a thought provoking and powerful talk and promoted a stimulating discussion regarding a just culture in the NHS.
Following the news that the GMC continues to appeal MPTS verdicts despite the recommendations made by the Williams Review and the outpouring of concern from doctors following the Bawa-Garba case, Treasurer Dr Rinesh Parmar spoke to GPOnline.
DAUK has replied to a letter from Charlie Massey dated 13 September. We welcome the apology offered by Mr Massey and the opportunity to meet. DAUK has, however, expressed concern in a number of areas, including the news that the GMC is continuing to appeal MPTS verdicts, and call on the GMC to cease doing so urgently.
DAUK has received a reply from Mr Charlie Massey, CEO of the GMC, to a letter sent on the 21st August from DAUK and 1200 GMC registered doctors, including Dr Philippa Whitford MP.
We welcome Mr Massey’s apology and will be taking him up on his offer to meet DAUK.
