With the General Election less than a month away, Will Powell asks what steps a new government could take to address the current faults within the NHS.
1. Ensure that there is openness and transparency both in the providing of healthcare and how the NHS is being financially run.
2. Ensure that all Managers and Chief Executives have the skill and expertise to provide the services they are being paid to provide. If not, either retrain them or terminate their employment. Everyone employed by the NHS should be a fit and proper person with integrity.
3. Ensure that all doctors and nurses have the skill and expertise to provide the services they are being paid to provide. If not, either retrain them or terminate their employment.
4. Ensure that any doctor, nurse or healthcare professional that is dishonest about mistakes are forthwith suspended, without pay, and referred to their regulatory body.
5. Encourage the culling of exorbitant payment to lawyers defending indefensible medical errors. Admit liability immediately as and when appropriate.
6. Ensure that all failures in the providing of healthcare are identified and learned from to prevent repetition.
7. Ensure that all complaints are robustly and independently investigated by first taking a statement of truth from the complainant. If appropriate apologise to the complainant and reassure them that all will be done to remedy any damage caused. Outlaw discrimination against the complainant and welcome complaints to improve NHS services.
8. Introduce a mechanism that secures original/photocopies of the relevant medical records immediately following an adverse event.
9. Appoint a Whistleblowers/Complainants Representative in every hospital, care home and GP practice.
10. Appoint a Whistleblowers/Complainants Minister at the Department of Health to address any allegations of NHS cover ups.
11. Ensure that all whistleblowers are protected by law and not discriminated against, or bullied by management, or anyone else for that matter. Any proven discrimination or bullying should result in instant dismissal or disciplinary action.
12. Secure a statement of truth from all Whistleblowers and provide the statement to the appointed Whistleblowers’ Minister and Whistleblowers’ Representative. Fully investigate the Whistleblower’s allegations without fear, favour or prejudice.
13. Ensure that everyone employed by the NHS is held accountable for their actions and/or inactions and in particular when it is detrimental to patient safety issues and/or the financial running of the NHS.
14. Appreciate and promote the very people within the NHS who best serve the public and their needs and not the wrongdoers as has been the case for far too long.
Will Powell
NHS Adviser for Mistreatment.com
http://www.mistreatment.com/news/article/what-a-new-government-could-do-to-improve-our-failing-nhs-273/#.VjMju_nhCM9

Will Powell
Filed under: NHS, NHS