Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE has been appointed as the first ever patient safety commissioner for England.
Health secretary Steve Barclay’s appointment of Dr Hughes to the new role adds to the existing work being carried out to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices, following the recommendations outlined in Baroness Cumberlege’s 2020 review into patient safety, First Do No Harm.
In her role, Dr Hughes will be an independent point of contact for patients, ensuring that their concerns are voiced and heard. She will assist the NHS and government in better understanding what more can be done to put patients first, promote patient safety, and uphold the views of patients and other members of the public.
Dr Hughes brings vast experience into her new position, having been involved directly in patient care as the national guardian for the NHS. In that role, she encouraged staff to speak up and supported whistle-blowers.
Alongside her new role, Dr Hughes will continue to practise as a GP and as chair of the Childhood First charity, which promotes and furthers the care, treatment and rehabilitation of children and adolescents.
Steve Barclay, the secretary of state for health and social care, commented: “It is essential that we put patient safety first and continue to listen to and champion patients’ voices.
“Dr Henrietta Hughes brings a wealth of experience with her as the first ever patient safety commissioner to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices and her work will help support NHS staff as we work hard to beat the Covid backlogs.”
The new patient safety commissioner, Dr Henrietta Hughes, said that she was honoured to be appointed.
“I am humbled and honoured to be appointed as the first patient safety commissioner. This vital role, recommended in First Do No Harm, will make a difference to the safety of patients in relation to medicines and medical devices.
“Patients’ voices need to be at the heart of the design and delivery of healthcare. I would like to pay tribute to the incredible courage, persistence and compassion of all those who gave evidence to the report, their families and everyone who continues to campaign tirelessly for safer treatments.
“I will work collaboratively with patients, the healthcare system and others so that all patients receive the information they need, all patients’ voices are heard and the system responds quickly to keep people safe.”
Baroness Cumberledge’s First Do No Harm report, published in 2020, explored issues relating to the use of Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh, and was commissioned because women did not feel listened to nor felt that their concerns were acknowledged.
The review highlighted the need to better protect and listen to patients and recommended the creation of an independent patient safety commissioner, with Dr Hughes now appointed to this new role.
In July 2021, the government published its formal response to the recommendations set out in the First Do No Harm report, including a commitment to appoint a patient safety commissioner with a remit covering medicines and medical devices.
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