Summary
The government’s official response to the Francis Inquiry report, entitled “Patients first and foremost” was published today. It defines the Department of Health‘s commitment and action plan for the health and care system. The main recommendations / resolutions include:
- Ofsted-style ratings for hospitals and care homes will be introduced. These will be overseen by an Independent Chief Inspector of Hospitals and Chief Inspector of Social Care.
- There will be a statutory duty of candour for organisations providing care and which have been registered with the Care Quality Commission.
- The NHS Confederation will review how to reduce the bureaucratic burden on frontline staff and NHS providers.
- Nurses are likely to have to work for up to one year as healthcare assistants; this is to be a pre-requisite for qualifying for funding towards their degrees.
- Nurses’ skills and attitudes will need to be revalidated (much as doctors are now subject to revalidation). Healthcare support workers and adult social care workers will be expected to work to a code of conduct and comply with minimum training standards.
- The government has also updated and revised the NHS Constitution to reaffirm the NHS culture which values working in the interests of patients (rather than those of providers); treating patients and their families / carers with compassion, dignity and respect; listening to patients, families and friends; and acting on their feedback.
Reference
Patients first and foremost: the initial government response to the Report of The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry. London: Department of Health, March 26th 2013. Cm8576.
[A brief reference to this item features in Dementia and Elderly Care: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWNHST), Volume 3 Issue 7, May 2013].
A Summary of the Issues and the Government’s Response
This House of Commons Library briefing sets out the main issues raised in the public inquiry led by Robert Francis QC and the main elements in the Government’s response to the Francis report.
Reference
Powell, T. (2013). The Francis Report (Report of the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust public inquiry) and the Government’s response. London: House of Commons Library, July 17th 2013. Ref. SN/SP/6690.
[A brief reference to this item features in Dementia and Elderly Care: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWNHST), Volume 3 Issue 9, August 2013].
