latest news
Sad news of the death of Karen Woo
Our deepest thoughts go out to the family and friends of Karen Woo, member of the CHFG standing group, who was killed whilst on an aid mission in Afghanistan.
White Paper puts patient safety at the heart of healthcare
CHFG welcomes the latest NHS White Paper entitled ‘Liberating the NHS’ which explicitly positions patient safety at the heart of healthcare:
“… [to] ensure that patient safety is placed above all else at the heart of the NHS, and that there are no longer any production line approaches to healthcare, which measure the volume but ignore the quality. There cannot be a trade-off between safety and efficiency. Our information revolution will play an important role in this, boosting transparency so that failings do not go undetected. It will help foster a culture of active responsibility where staff and patients are empowered to ask, challenge and intervene.”
Health Secretary mentions CHFG in maiden speech
New Secretary of State for Health, the Rt Hon Andrew Lansley MP recently referred directly to the work of the CHFG in his maiden speech regarding the NH.
“Reliability, consistency of operating procedures, and a culture of challenge are all required. A culture where the offence is not to make a mistake – to err is human – but the offence is to ignore an error or, even worse, to cover it up.” June 8th 2010.
Read the full transcript here >>
CHFG at Patient Safety Congress 2010
The Clinical Human Factors Group raised its visibility recently with a stand at the Patient Safety Congress 2010.
Literally hundreds of people visited the stand over the two days, and more than 120 people ‘registered’ to received further information. The event showed just how many people want to know more about the role of human factors, and how they can get involved.
Martin Bromiley, CHFG chair, said: “The event was an ideal opportunity for CHFG to launch its manifesto for change, start some great conversations and make numerous valuable connections. Over the coming months we will be working with our new supporters to ensure we make the most of their interest and enthusiasm in human factors.”
Read the manifesto for change here >>
CHFG welcomes health report
The CHFG welcomes the House of Commons Health Committee report into Patient Safety, published 3 July 2009.
We are particularly delighted that the committee have recognised that human factors and the development of non-technical skills should be part of clinical education and learning at all stages of a clinicians career. The report is complex and insightful and can only really be appreciated once it is read in full; however a summary of the key parts relevant to the CHFG is also included below.
A summary of the key parts relevant to the CHFG >>
‘Teamwork could have saved baby’ – news paper article in the Milton Keynes Citizen >>
A big thank you to Private Eye! – Medicine Balls, Safety First, 16–29 May 2008 >>
Bethany Bowen’s tragic death – Daily Mail, 10 January 2009 >>
CHFG’s response to the Mid Staffs Inquiry >>
Archive >>
events
The Second European Safety Management Symposium, SMS – Safety Performance through People
28–29 September 2010 – RAF Museum, Hendon, London
Effective safety management needs a proactive approach that includes identifying hazards before they materialise into serious incidents and taking the necessary actions to reduce the safety risks. However, pro-activity can only result from the right culture – a safety culture. The Symposium will focus on how to enable and engage the people at all levels in an organisation to make a maximum contribution to delivering safety performance.
Capita’s 2nd National Improving Patient Safety Conference
30 September 2010, central London
This conference examines how to tackle one of the most important challenges facing health care today; making patient care safer. Reporting incidents and being open and honest with patients remains key to improving services and this conference provides the opportunity to share best practice.
The Australasian Conference on Error in Medical Imaging: Making Imaging Safer
11–12 November 2010, Swiss Grand Bondi, Sydney
Awareness of preventable harm to patients due to error in Medical Imaging is increasing. The Australian Patient Safety Foundation, part of a growing movement of interested groups, is excited to announce the fi rst Australasian Conference on Error in Medical Imaging.