Healthcare safety watchdogs should have sway over private sector

Defence organisation MDDUS has echoed a call made by Dr Philippa Whitford MP for the powers of the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch to be extended to the private healthcare sector.

Dr Chris Kenny

MDDUS chief executive Chris Kenny said: ‘The Government has begun a review of indemnity as it’s provided to healthcare professionals and, following publication of the recommendations made in this report, we will continue to work co-operatively with the Department of Health and Social Care as it considers its response over the next few months.

‘We believe that choice for healthcare professionals and protection for patients are complementary, not opposed, goals.’

He welcomed strong support given in Parliament to the principle of whistleblowing by the patient safety minister Nadine Dorries.

Dr Rob Hendry, medical director at the Medical Protection Society, said: ‘This is a crucial inquiry for those patients who needlessly suffered and in order to deliver system-wide learnings.

‘Mr Paterson was able to continue harming his patients for too long, and we fully support changes that could help to identify and address concerns earlier and ultimately improve patient safety. 

‘We sympathise deeply with Mr Paterson’s victims, who had to struggle for compensation, and we welcome the principle of a “safety net” to ensure patients are not disadvantaged in this way again.’

He said his defence body would continue to work closely with the Government on a current review into the regulation of indemnity for healthcare professionals.

Changes should not negatively impact on its member doctors, he added.