Fewer ‘referees’ can help NHS improve care safety and quality

A government-commissioned review by Dr Penny Dash has recommended steps to rationalise oversight and regulation of NHS patient safety.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive, NHS Providers, said:

"Keeping patients safe is paramount.  

"Dr Dash is spot on. Regulation is important but must focus on issues that really matter and continued improvement. 

"Today running an NHS trust is like playing in a match with lots of referees, all with different rules, on the pitch. Right now services are hampered by the sheer number of visits, inspections, audits and reports by several different, not joined-up, bodies resulting in lots of separate recommendations requiring staff to check what others are doing – taking many doctors and nurses away from looking after patients. 

"The system has been too complex for too long. This review is an important step in simplifying and streamlining how patient care is regulated without ever compromising safety. 

"Trusts welcome this review. A revamped National Quality Board will set clear, robust, consistent priorities and ensure that NHS services are held accountable for providing high-quality care, and we welcome proposals for trusts to appoint a senior executive responsible for ‘patient experience’.  

"We welcome too proposals to streamline the complaints process.  If something goes wrong NHS trusts are determined to put in place measures quickly to improve the quality and safety of patient care.”