Last updated on August 29th, 2017 at 11:11 am
Mr Hunt explained that “a tough and transparent new inspection regime for hospitals” had been introduced and that “a new legal duty of candour to patients and families who suffer harm and a major initiative to save lives lost from sepsis” had been introduced. On the back of this, the Health Foundation reported that the number of people that had suffered an injury as a result of a medical mistake had fallen by a third in 3 years.
Injured patients can’t use information given to them
The health secretary notes that there are still too many mistakes and to combat this will introduce an independent Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch on 1st April 2016.
Graysons’ medical negligence team says “You may think that this is a positive step forward in our quest for ‘openness and transparency about where problems exist’. However, whilst injured patients and their families will be kept informed of the investigation and the outcome, they will not be allowed to use the information to bring a claim for the injuries that they have suffered as a result of clinical negligence unless they obtain a court order because in his opinion, ‘what patients and families who suffer want more than anything is a guarantee that no-one else will have to re-live their agony’.”
Another attempt to limit access to justice for injured patients
It further says “It is clear from this statement that Mr Hunt does not understand that living with a catastrophic injury is both stressful and demanding and can have a severe strain on the financial, psychological and physical health of the whole family. Nor does he realise that an apology will not provide a comprehensive package that will help aid recovery or provide support for them and their families and nor will an apology provide financial security ensuring that any life-long care needs will be met.
This is the latest attempt to limit access to justice for injured patients and their families by making it harder to seek compensation for injuries caused by the medical profession, and in particular the NHS which is of course government funded!”
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