PDA has called on parliament to ensure patient safety in community pharmacy is in scope after the government published a draft Health Service Safety Investigations Bill which will give the Health Service Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) power to investigate serious patient safety incidents.
The HSSIB will have the function of investigating qualifying incidents occurring during the provision of NHS services or occurring at premises at which those services are provided, which should include community pharmacies.
In the launch of this draft bill the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, said “ When significant errors occur, it is vital that health organisations react quickly and decisively to share lessons and make improvements. To achieve this we need to create an environment where patients, public and healthcare professionals all feel able to speak out about their concerns, without fear or favour.”
Mark Koziol, Chair of PDA said “Our members want to provide pharmaceutical services in an environment where patient safety is top priority, but in community pharmacy they can sometimes find their professional responsibilities towards patients at odds with the employers drive for profits.
PDA believe It is essential that private organisations that provide NHS services for profit, such as those who provide community pharmacy services, are subject to same level of scrutiny on patient safety as other NHS service providers.
Mark Koziol concluded: We want to see the same dramatic improvements in safety that other sectors have achieved through effective investigations bodies. PDA call upon parliamentarians across the political spectrum to ensure this bill includes community pharmacy within the scope of HSSIB.
ENDS
Notes:
Launch of new draft bill;: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-bill-to-improve-patient-safety
Editors requiring further information should contact:
Paul Day,
Tel: 0121 694 7000,
Email: paul.day@pda-union.org