Skip to content

News

Keep up to date with the latest news, research and activity in patient safety.

Action yet to be taken on stillbirth independent investigation

Now, almost two years after a consultation on inquests into stillbirths was delivered, the government has yet to respond. 
It has recently been reported by MPs that 1,000 babies die preventable deaths each year due to understaffing and a culture of blame among the maternity ward workforce. 
However, despite pressure from campaigners and a promise by the government that a response would come in September 2019, it is yet to be published. 
The Department for Health and Social Care has told Byline Times, “work on analysing the responses to the consultation on coronial investigations of stillbirths has been delayed during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Read full story.
Source: Byline Times, 14 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

15 new research programs set to study 'long term effects of Covid-19'

It has been announced that the UK is set to launch 15 new research programs to study 'Long Covid', allocating nearly 20 million pounds to the projects. 
The research programs are aiming to understand the condition better as well as identify it and evaluate different treatments. 
The Department for Health and Social Care have said, "Those people who have long COVID will benefit from the latest  research revealed, which will help to understand the condition better, improve diagnosis and find new treatments."
Read full story.
Source: The Day Chronicle, 18 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Some double-jabbed NHS staff to avoid isolation

Some frontline NHS staff who have been double vaccinated may be allowed to continue working even if they are exposed to someone who has Covid-19.
This decision comes after concerns were raised regarding staff shortages and where absences could result in "significant harm".
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said: "As we learn to live with this virus, it's important that we ensure frontline staff can keep providing the best possible care and support to people up and down the country. These new rules will fortify our collective defences against this awful virus, by allowing fully vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff to continue to work when needed."
Read full story.
Source: BBC News, 19 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

UCLH awarded £6.8 million to conduct long Covid study

UCLH has been awarded £6.8m to conduct what has been regarded as the largest Long Covid clinical study and will focus on understanding the condition, how to diagnose it, manage it and improve the recovery process. 
The research will be a collaborative effort and will include 30 researchers, health professionals, patients and industry partners from more than 30 organisations and the project will be known as TIMULATE-ICP (Symptoms, Trajectory, Inequalities and Management: Understanding Long-Covid to Address and Transform Existing Integrated Care Pathways).
Read full story.
Source: National Health Executive, 19 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Disease experts warn: ‘The world needs a reality check’

WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove wrote in her notebook before a keynote address "the world needs a reality check" after becoming increasingly concerned about the rise in coronavirus infections. 
Reports have found Covd-19 has been rising rapidly in places where there has been a low vaccine uptake and it has been confirmed the delta variant is the most transmissible than earlier strains. However, despite this, there has been a lack of social distancing and mask wearing from the public. 
“We’re getting further away from the end than we should be. We’re in a bad place right now globally,” Van Kerkhove has said.
Read full story.
Source: The Washington Post, 17 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

VA now 'reimagining' approach to Cerner EHR modernization

Multiple issues have been found after a review into Veteran Affairs (VA) electronic system revealed outstanding issues. 
VA Secretary Denis McDonough has said "The mission of EHRM has always been to create a platform that seamlessly delivers the best access and outcomes for our vets and the best experience for our providers". 
The review found problems in several areas including: patient safety, productivity, governance and management, cost and schedule performance, patient portal experience, testing, data and change management and training. 
McDonough has said steps are being taken to address each of these issues and that VA is "reimagining our approach to Electronic Health Record Modernization."
Read full story.
Source: Healthcare IT News, 19 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

American Academy of Pediatrics calls for prioritizing in-person learning

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has called for in-person learning to be prioritised and for schools to prepare to address the mental health needs of their students. 
The AAP has also urged all who are eligible to get vaccinated, to do so, and recommends a layered approach in making schools safe for all such as wearing masks even if vaccinated. 
Sonja O’Leary, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAP Council on School Health has said “We need to prioritize getting children back into schools alongside their friends and their teachers -- and we all play a role in making sure it happens safely”. 
Read full story.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, 19 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

I work in an NHS Covid ward – and I feel so angry

An NHS consultant has told The Guardian "I work in an NHS Covid ward – and I feel so angry".
Providing a first hand account of their experiences working on an NHS Covid ward, the consultant, who wishes to remain anonymous, has expressed their dismay at the rise in cases, the spread of misinformation and the exhaustion felt among staff members dealing with work place stress and mental illness. 
Read full story.
Source: The Guardian, 19 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Crucial for pinged people to self-isolate says No 10

In the past week, many people have been 'pinged' by the NHS app, informing them they have been in close contact with someone who has had the Covid-19 virus and that they should self-isolate. However, despite this advice there is no legal obligation. 
Downing street, on the other hand, have urged those who have been 'pinged' to self-isolate when sent the alert via the app. 
A spokeswoman for No 10 has said "Given the risk of having and spreading the virus when people have been in contact with someone with Covid, it is crucial people isolate when they are told to do so, either by NHS Test and Trace or by the NHS Covid app".
Read full story.
Source. BBC News, 20 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Mask rules to return for Jersey

Mandatory mask wearing rules are set to return to Jersey from Wednesday 21 July amid concerns for rising case numbers. 
The rules stipulate that anyone over the age of 12, must wear a mask when inside indoor public places such as transport, shops and health care settings.
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Richard Renouf has said: "While we have seen a rise in cases over the past two weeks, it is important to remember the effect our vaccination programme has had on the island".
Read full story.
Source: BBC News, 20 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

RCN demands health secretary is made fully accountable for nursing workforce in England

The Royal College of Nursing has demanded the health secretary is made fully accountable for the planning and supply of nursing staff in England. 
As the Health and Care Bill passes through parliament, the RCN insists key changes need to be made to Bill to enable the workforce crisis to be appropriately addressed, including ensuring that the commissioning of services is done in partnership with local communities and ensuring that the voices of experts such as royal colleges are part of the regulation of the profession.
Read full story.
Source: RCN, 17 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

London Ambulance Service declares incident as 999 calls surge

The London Ambulance service declared a 'business continuity incident' on Monday after a surge in 999 calls. 
Paramedics were told the ambulance service was under extreme demand after the calls threatened to overwhelm the service. The announcement was made after more than 400 calls were made in a single hour during Monday afternoon. 
“Yesterday we saw high levels of demand for our services and used tested processes to care for our patients – this allowed some people with the least urgent care needs to be treated through alternative routes" said a London Ambulance Service spokesperson. 
Read full story.
Source: The Independent, 20 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Alabama doctor on treating unvaccinated, dying COVID patients

In this article, an Alabama doctor describes how her unvaccinated patients are dying from Covid-19. 
Dr Brytney Cobia, a hospitalist at Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham said in a Facebook post on Sunday, “I’m admitting young healthy people to the hospital with very serious COVID infections. One of the last things they do before they’re intubated is beg me for the vaccine. I hold their hand and tell them that I’m sorry, but it’s too late.”
Read full story.
Source: Advance Local, 21 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Worst affected care homes revealed by watchdog

The number of people who have died in each care home has been published for the first time. According to reports, more than 39,000 care home residents died with the virus between 10 April 2020 and 31 March 2021.
The data, released by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) shows 21 homes had more than 30 Covid-19 related deaths, with the highest number of deaths in a single care home being 44.
Kate Terroni, CQC chief inspector for adult social care has said "Every number represents a life lost". 
Read full story.
Source: BBC News, 21 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning

Maternity services may struggle if Covid-19 rates surge

Health professionals have warned that if Covid-19 rates continue to rise, Maternity services may struggle to keep running.
The Royal College of Midwives and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have said home births have been cancelled amid ambulance shortages. 
Leah Deutsch, a senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Royal Free Hospital in north London, has told The Independent that some women were unable to have their home births during the first and second wave of the pandemic. 
Read full story.
Source: The Independent, 21 July 2021
Patient-Safety-Learning
Registered address: Patient Safety Learning, China Works SB203, 100 Black Prince Road Vauxhall, London, SE1 7SJ

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.