Paramedics and the Francis report

The report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Enquiry (2013) chaired by Robert Francis QC has been presented to Parliament. This follows the publication of an initial report in 2010 (The Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Enquiry, 2010) concerning issues associated with mortality and standards of care at the Trust. However, it would appear that no lessons have been learned since the first Inquiry published its findings. There has been a plethora of reports emanating from various inquiries (Shipman, Winterbourne, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Victoria Climbié), which have all indicated the need for better training of staff, improved management and a focus on outcomes as opposed to targets. However, the public remains unconvinced that this has been achieved.

Once again those responsible for the decisions that led to the abhorrent actions are redeployed or promoted, and when there is no penalty for failure there will be no modification of behaviour. As such it is certain to occur again. This is stark when considering that the current NHS Chief Executive, Sir David Nicholson, still has his job. Sir David told a Health Select Committee (he was in charge of the regional health authority for part of the period when patients at Stafford Hospital were being mistreated and abused) that at the time of the scandal, patients were not at the centre of this Trust’s attention. During the time he was running the health authority he only visited Stafford Hospital once, despite the gross concerns being raised.