Reid launches review of patient safety

Thursday, 27 January 2005 12:00 AM

The Government has launched a review into patient safety to ensure patients are protected from poor medical practice and misconduct.

Health Secretary John Reid has appointed Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson to lead the review as part of the Department of Health's (DoH) response to the Shipman Inquiry.

Sir Liam will draw on the findings of the inquiry into Dr Harold Shipman, who killed 250 patients over 30 years, and the relevant other inquiries into the instances of poor clinical performance.

The report, expected later this year, aims to strengthen procedures for assuring the safety of patients where a doctor's performance or conduct poses a risk to them or to the effective functioning of services.

It will seek to ensure that there is an effective system of revalidation for doctors and is likely to propose modifications to the role, structure and functions of the General Medical Council (GMC).

Head of the Shipman inquiry, Dame Janet Smith, identified serious failings in the medical system that allowed Dr Shipman to get away with his crimes for so long.

"We will not settle for a quick and weak response to her inquiry. It is clear that a review into patient protection is needed, immediately followed by strong patient protection measures informed by the review's findings," said Dr Reid.

The Minister insisted that the GMC must focus on protecting patients and should not be seen as a representative body for doctors.

"Only by having a robust system for testing doctors' fitness to practise can we increase patient confidence and promote good medical practice," the minister added.

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