Curative candour

A year ago right now I was lying on my Mum’s bed, holding her hand and talking to her as she spent her last living, breathing hour on this earth. Mum was at peace with the fact she was dying, and that peace was a total gift to those of us who love her. Given […]

Prosecuting the NHS, denial and state violence #JusticeforLB #WCMTLD

At 2pm tomorrow Southern Health will be up in court on charges relating to LB’s death. The Health and Safety Executive are prosecuting Southern Health NHSFT under Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. You can find out more about the act and how they enforce it on the HSE website […]

In praise of FOI Officers

This blog post is offered as a small attempt to focus and highlight a positive, at a time when it feels like the world could do with some more positivity, and evidence based fact. Last week I made 235 Freedom of Information requests. I know, I know, Jack Straw would be having a fit if he […]

Reflections on working with CQC on #CQCDeathsReview

In mid December 2016 the CQC Deaths Review was published. To coincide I published my own scoping review Family involvement in, and experience of, death investigations by the NHS and I blogged some initial thoughts about it here and some thoughts on potential learning here and here. I promised that I’d blog some thoughts about the experience […]

How can we improve things #CQCDeathsReview

This is a bold title on this blog post, and I’m sitting her before 7am, before coffee, the day after the #CQCDeathsReview published tapping my keyboard – so bear with me, hopefully the discussion and comments will add to whatever I can offer. At the last ERG (Expert Reference Group) someone raised the concern that once […]

No learning, no candour and no accountability #CQCDeathsReview

The CQC Deaths Review publishes today. You can download and read the report here. It makes for a gut churning read. The headline message is that the NHS is failing to identify deaths that need investigating, failing to investigate properly (when investigations happen) and failing to learn lessons, improve care or prevent future deaths. It […]

What the Donkey Sanctuary could teach the #NHS and #socialcare

Disclaimer: this blog post may just be a very simple cover to share pics of donkeys, but hopefully the words might make sense too, if not enjoy the donks  I am very fortunate to live about half an hour from the Donkey Sanctuary headquarters at Sidmouth and consequently when I’m looking for a day out, […]

Unofficial #NHS guide to all things inquest

Alternative title, not to be used publicly: how to protect your reputation at all costs When a patient dies  Don’t bother apologising or the family might get the wrong idea and try to sue us. Assign as much as possible to ‘natural causes’, especially if they’re using mental health services, have a physical disability or are learning […]

#CQCDeathsReview – what families experience

The aspect of the #CQCDeathsReview that I’m most involved with focuses on the experience and treatment of families and bereaved relatives. This is the area that I’m most experienced in, and most interested in. It doesn’t come without some reservations and concerns though, some of which I’ve previously blogged here. I’m lucky because I have […]

#CQCDeathsReview – Share Your Experience

A week or so ago I wrote a post introducing the Care Quality Commission Deaths Review and my initial thoughts about it. I’m not going to repeat it here, but please do go read it if you’re interested. The aspect of work I am most heavily involved with is looking to ensure families and bereaved relatives […]