NHS Heading For Another Safety Scandal, Warns Expert

The NHS is heading for another major health scandal unless care urgently improves, the government's first patient safety commissioner has warned.

- Rebecca Thomas

Healthcare chiefs are focusing too much on "financial control" and "productivity" rather than the genuine concerns of those in their care, says Dr Henrietta Hughes. If things don't change, it will only be a matter of time before the health service faces another disaster in healthcare, she adds.

The warning comes as the NHS struggles to cope amid widespread strike action by nurses, paramedics and 999 call handlers.

In recent weeks, pressures on waiting times at A&E have seen patients waiting for days to be seen by specialists and in some instances dying before ambulances arrive.

The Independent has revealed a catalogue of failings in maternity care in Shrewsbury, East Kent and Nottingham, as well as buckling systems in mental health.

In her first report since being appointed last year, Dr Hughes drew a direct comparison to the failings in care in Staffordshire in the 2000s when 1,200 people died due to poor patient care. It is considered one of the largest-ever healthcare scandals in the UK and emblematic of negligence in the NHS.

"Unless leaders set a strategic intention to listen to patients and act, we are heading straight back to the days of Mid Staffs and other health scandals, severe harm, and death," she said.

"My clear message to leaders is - don't let this happen on your watch."