patients safe. Oſten when people do try to speak out they are bullied or more covert tactics are used, like ostracising or making the individual feel as if they are the only ones who cannot cope with the demands. I also believe the unions, both medical


and nursing, have failed the frontline. At Mid Staffs the unions knew the wards were desperately short of staff and should have done more to tackle this. Tey should also be more proactive in reminding staff of their duty to act as a patient’s advocate and to speak out if patient safety is compromised.


What do you think should be done to improve patient care? I believe we need to turn the NHS the right way up, with the frontline staff taking the lead and the managers offering advice. At the moment, the Government decides the NHS priorities and that is wrong.


SUMMER 2013


Te frontline knows what is best for their patients and they should be allowed to lead. To achieve that, the NHS first needs a


leader that inspires and galvanises the workforce. We need a quality and safety system, standardised operating procedures and zero harm and “right first time” as our guiding philosophy. I’m not sure if some health professionals


have lost their compassion with patients. I think the problem could be in the recruitment of nurses and doctors. We heard at the Mid Staffs public inquiry that the priority was to fill the university places and not the values of those we were recruiting. We should start to recruit for the values we want the NHS to uphold and not what it has become.


What is your reaction to the Francis report? I was pleased with the Francis report


as it addressed the key areas but disappointed that it had so many recommendations. I would have preferred there to be around 20 manageable and achievable recommendations. I am disappointed too that he blames the system, which I suspect will be used for other failings and already is. Without accountability I believe the NHS will allow a small pool of failure to swim which will continue to blight the NHS.


n From Ward to Whitehall by Julie Bailey is published in the UK by Cure Te NHS. Copies are available from www.curethenhs. co.uk for £7.99 +P&P


n Interview by Joanne Curran, associate editor of Summons


Next issue: how is the NHS addressing the key concerns raised in the Francis report?


11


PHOTOGRAPH: PRESS ASSOCIATION


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