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Steve Turner
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Profile Information
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First name
Steve
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Last name
Turner
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Country
United Kingdom
About me
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About me
Registered general & mental health nurse prescriber with a background including clinical education & governance, social policy, and information technology. WhistleblowersUK Health spokesperson, and co-chair of the WBUK Healthcare Whistleblowing Focus Group
Digital profile: https://linktr.ee/stevemedgov
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Organisation
Founder of Care Right Now CIC
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Role
Managing Director - Now retired
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4,703 profile views
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Article Comment
Draft NHSE plans seek to ‘eradicate’ police role in SIM care model
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's news article in News
This is mostly good news for patients & users of services. I believe that the urgent need for this change is an example of what happens when care services are driven by managerialism. By that I mean the unrelenting drive to fit everything into boxes and set up 'one size fits all services', often without any meaningful & thorough consultation with users of services. There are as many approaches to care for people with mental health problems and mental illness as there are people. Discrimination, sanctions, and punitive measures have no place. I do have concerns about the eradication of 'Police involvement in delivery of therapeutic interventions in planned, non-emergency, community mental healthcare'. This seems an unfair and unnecessary provision, driven by 'managerialism and the need to' box everything off.' As a mental health nurse, it's my experience that police support can be extremely helpful for patients/users of services in many situations, especially in early intervention, e.g., preventing escalation and in tackling discrimination and harassment of people with mental illness. This is backed up by the views of the people (users of services) I have worked with. To stop this is unfair to those police officers who are skilled at helping people in crisis and in preventing problems before the arise. I'd be interested in the views of users of services and the police on this.- Posted
- 1 comment
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Content Article
In 2015 the Government introduced a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian and a system of Local Speak Up Guardians in response to the recommendations made by Sir Robert Frances following the scandal at Mid Staffordshire. From the outset, this system has attracted significant criticism and the APPG has heard from whistleblowers who have been failed by local guardians sharing their experiences that included the disclosure of their identity to hospital management and boards – resulting in retaliation. The APPG has also heard from Local Guardians who were not supported and themselves the target of retaliation after supporting whistleblowers. Local Guardians in East Kent were described as, “dishonest” and that the Guardian system had failed in every case that had been investigated throughout the UK. Further evidence was provided of a tick box approach to the Duty of Candour introduced by the former Secretary of State for Health. The APPG was told that both the Guardian and Duty of Candour systems are beyond resurrection and that across the NHS there is no ownership of problems. All attempts to encourage speaking up have been hindered by a failure to introduce an effective and safe whistleblowing regime across the NHS, resulting in the NHS being unsafe for whistleblowers, making it unsafe for patients. The APPG were told that, in over 50 years of investigation experience, little has changed, and that “these issues are not new, nor are they confined to a small number of rogue hospitals”. That league table results are inaccurate because of a flawed regulatory system with no ownership of the problems and where the regulators are “caught up in the fraud”. The APPG was provided with a series of examples of what were described as “deep seated problems” relating to teamwork and culture, which resulted in the failure to join up clinical and ethical responsibilities. These responsibilities were described as being on separate tracks and a failure by the regulatory regime to identify or report on the impact of this has significant consequences for patients, whistleblowers and the future of the NHS, as demonstrated by the case of the Bristol Children’s Heart scandal brought to light by Dr Steve Bolsin 30 years ago. Dr Bolsin was shunned for exposing the failures that resulted in the death of so many babies because funding the unit was more of a priority that the lives of the babies (he has since made a successful career in Australia). In every case, a failure to listen to whistleblowers, followed by attempts to discredit the whistleblowers, and a deliberate cover up has proved in many cases fatal for patients. What has been proved time and time again is that The Public Interest Disclosure Act (PIDA) has made little or no difference to this failure to protect patients or whistleblowers or to learn and improve our NHS. Evidence provided to the APPG is of a lack of system-wide action and an absence of commitment to speaking up beyond excellent PR. It is unclear who, if anyone, is responsible for the monitoring and reporting on recommendations contained in investigation reports. In addition, there is no coherent process for triggering high-level independent reviews of major patient safety failings. This causes confusion, suffering and leads to missed opportunities. Mary Robinson MP, chair of the APPG for Whistleblowing, said: “We have a duty to support and protect whistleblowers because without them we cannot prevent more deaths like those in East Kent. My APPG is committed to making whistleblowing safe and will continue to press the Government to introduce the Whistleblowing Bill which will incentivise and normalise speaking up. I encourage everyone to write to their MPs and ask them to join the APPG and support the Whistleblowing Bill.” The Right Hon. Baroness Susan Kramer, said: “Doing nothing is not an option that we can afford. It’s time to put an end to ‘tick box culture’ and turning a blind eye to whistleblowers. Whistleblowing law must be meaningful, easily understandable and enforceable. The Whistleblowing Bill will do this and in doing so will save lives and protect our NHS.” Wendy Morden MP, member of the APPG for Whistleblowing, said: “I hear about problems when I am at the hairdresser because people are too afraid to speak up in their place of work. The Office of the Whistleblower will be the catalyst for meaningful change.” Dr Bill Kirkup, author of Reading the Signals Report, said: “I support the proposals set out in the Whistleblowing Bill because the NHS urgently needs an effective early warning system.”- Posted
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Article Comment
Dementia patients in England facing ‘national crisis’ in care safety
Steve Turner commented on Sam's news article in News
- Dementia
- Organisation / service factors
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This crisis has its roots way back. Beginning with the removal of funding for long-term care from the #NHS in the 1980s, the functional separation of #health & #socialcare , the rise of managerialism and the embedding of a cover up culture including victimisation of genuine #healthcare #whistleblowers. All this has been supported by all governments regardless of party.- Posted
- 1 comment
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- Dementia
- Organisation / service factors
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Content Article Comment
Will lessons be learned? An analysis of the systemic failures in the East Kent Maternity report
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's article in Trust investigations
- Investigation
- Recommendations
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Time to examine the root causes of why these reports continue to show that lessons have not been learned. Three areas of concern stand out for me: 1. There is no independent official body that looks at systemic failings in #healthcare in the UK. (I understand that the remit of the Health & Safety Investigation Branch [HSIB] specifically excludes this). 2. There is no clear pathway that triggers major reviews of healthcare failings. (More often than not these shocking reports are prompted by #patients and their families). 3. When staff feel unable to blow the whistle, or are ignored and victimised for doing this, relatives take this on, at great personal cost. (Examples of where staff have not raised concerns or have had their concerns dismissed, include the death of Robbie Powell, Elizabeth Dixon, Oliver McGowan, Claire Roberts and ‘Gosport.) For too long inexcusable failings have been covered up. It's frequently said that it wasn't because nobody knew about it. It was something that everyone knew about. In the words of the late Professor Aidan Halligan, we need to 'Run toward problems, especially on a bad day'.- Posted
- 2 comments
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- Investigation
- Recommendations
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Article Comment
Bullying, misogyny and sexual culture at Royal College of Nursing, inquiry finds
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's news article in News
- Bullying
- Discrimination
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A very worrying report, sadly I'm not surprised to read this. As a registered nurse I am concerned about these types of behaviours and attitudes at the top. This has contributed to nurses & nursing organisations in the UK squandering many opportunities to lead on safe & ethical practice & failing to speak out on patient safety. We should be a strong professional group, setting an example.- Posted
- 1 comment
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- Bullying
- Discrimination
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Article Comment
Contacting the Patient Safety Commissioner for England
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's news article in News
- Patient safety strategy
- Commissioner
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(and 2 more)
Tagged with:
'Independent' but funded by the DHSC & appointed by the SoS for Health... Isn't that an oxymoron? 'The PSC will be an independent statutory office holder, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and appointed by the Secretary of State.' - Source UK Government https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/medicines-and-medical-devices-bill-overarching-documents/medicines-and-medical-devices-bill-patient-safety-commissioner#patient-journey (accessed 28.09.2022)- Posted
- 1 comment
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- Patient safety strategy
- Commissioner
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Community Post
Can the NHS learn from healthcare systems overseas?
Steve Turner posted a topic in Organisational
- Behaviour
- Resources / Organisational management
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(and 24 more)
Tagged with:
- Behaviour
- Resources / Organisational management
- Communication problems
- Decision making
- Organisation / service factors
- System safety
- User centred design
- Culture of fear
- Duty of Candour
- Just Culture
- Leadership
- Organisational culture
- Organisational development
- Organisational learning
- Safety culture
- Transformation
- Speaking up
- Transparency
- Whistleblowing
- Change management
- Collaboration
- Hierarchy
- Staff support
- Benchmarking
- Clinical governance
- Accountability
Is it time to change the way England's healthcare system is funded? Is the English system in need of radical structural change at the top? I've been prompted to think about this by the article about the German public health system on the BBC website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62986347.amp There are no quick fixes, however we all need to look at this closely. I believe that really 'modernising' / 'transforming' our health & #socialcare systems could 'save the #NHS'. Both for #patients through improved safety, efficiency & accountability, and by making the #NHS an attractive place to work again, providing the NHS Constitution for England is at the heart of changes and is kept up to date. In my experience, having worked in healthcare for the private sector and the NHS, and lived and worked in other countries, we need to open our eyes. At present it could be argued that we have the worst of both worlds in England. A partially privatised health system and a fully privatised social care system. All strung together by poor commissioning and artificial and toxic barriers, such as the need for continuing care assessments. In my view a change, for example to a German-style system, could improve patient safety through empowering the great managers and leaders we have in the NHS. These key people are held back by the current hierarchical crony-ridden system, and we are at risk of losing them. In England we have a system which all too often punishes those who speak out for patients and hides failings behind a web of denial, obfuscation and secrecy, and in doing this fails to learn. Vast swathes of unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication could be eliminated, gaps more easily identified, and greater focus given to deeply involving patients in the delivery of their own care. This is a contentious subject as people have such reverence for the NHS. I respect the values of the NHS and want to keep them; to do this effectively we need much more open discussion on how it is organised and funded. What are people's views?- Posted
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- Behaviour
- Resources / Organisational management
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(and 24 more)
Tagged with:
- Behaviour
- Resources / Organisational management
- Communication problems
- Decision making
- Organisation / service factors
- System safety
- User centred design
- Culture of fear
- Duty of Candour
- Just Culture
- Leadership
- Organisational culture
- Organisational development
- Organisational learning
- Safety culture
- Transformation
- Speaking up
- Transparency
- Whistleblowing
- Change management
- Collaboration
- Hierarchy
- Staff support
- Benchmarking
- Clinical governance
- Accountability
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Content Article
These four vlogs are edited versions of vlogs originally commissioned by the NHS. They are all fully referenced based on UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and on the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Prescribing Competency Framework for all prescribers (see the video description) and contain links to useful sources of further information. Shared decision making - 'It's my decision', which covers the latest NICE Guideline on shared decision making. 'Too much information' - Dealing with information overload on medicines & prescribing, which includes some of the work of the former UK National Prescribing Centre on information mastery. The way numerical data presentation influences decisions and treatments. Key components of taking a past medical history and a thorough medicines history when prescribing, which is a refresher on what was covered in the Independent Prescribing Course.- Posted
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- Medication
- Knowledge issue
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Content Article Comment
A significant role for the new Patient Safety Commissioner, in my view, will be through reference to improving prescribing competency, as set out in the RPS Prescribing Competency Framework. A framework which is for ALL prescribers. When speaking the 'truth to power' & reflecting on medicines' safety this framework is key. Link: https://www.rpharms.com/resources/frameworks/prescribers-competency-framework- Posted
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- Leadership
- Medication
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Content Article Comment
WHO: World Patient Safety Day 2022
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's article in WHO
- Medication
- Adminstering medication
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An opportunity to reflect and act on the (UK) Prescribing Competency Framework:- Posted
- 1 comment
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- Medication
- Adminstering medication
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Content Article Comment
The NHS leadership: wilful blindness or deliberate neglect? (4 August 2022)
Steve Turner commented on Patient Safety Learning's article in National/Governmental
- Leadership
- Patient safety strategy
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I believe a review of the corporate governance of #health & #socialcare services in England is needed. This review need not be a long-winded process. There are many studies and reports available, this is the starting point. Plus, the #NHS constitution for England, which rarely gets a mention. Sadly, I don't think this will happen. The overriding ethos is to avoid confronting problems that could make the 'great and the good' look bad & break down the widespread rampant cronyism which is holding back the development of services and driving staff away. #Patients suffer as a result. #leadership #ethics #accountability #whistleblowing #whistleblower #share4safety 'Almost all whistleblowing creates positive change in the organisation which has its wrongdoing reported. Whistleblowers uncover 43% of corruption, compared to only 19% discovered by paid auditors. Whistleblowers lead to the recovery of enough money to give everyone on the planet, health care, many times over.' - WhistleblowersUK- Posted
- 1 comment
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- Leadership
- Patient safety strategy
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Content Article Comment
I find it shocking that the proposed reforms, listed below, are not already in place: patient involvement in complaints investigations the establishment of independent investigation bodies more meaningful data analysis strategies to uncover and address systemic causes behind recurring complaints. Perhaps people who are involved with complaints handling, and those who have made complaints can share their experiences? Good or bad experiences - all will contribute to further learning and help deliver real change.- Posted
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Content Article
Everyone who works in health and social care should listen to this podcast in full. I've followed Will's search for justice and I am proud to know Will. A man of great integrity who is campaigning for an individual #dutyofcandour in #healthcare, for the benefit of us all. I remain shocked, when I teach on this, how few know Robbie's story. There has been so much lost learning, a failure of accountability, and a failure to deliver an effective statutory duty of candour. For me, this appalling story of failure and cover up highlights clearly why we have to recognise the value of whistleblowers in #healthcare. When staff don't/can't speak out, or are ignored and bullied, it falls to patients or relatives to do this, at huge cost. #Robbieslaw Related post: English and Welsh Ombudsman set out the case for '... a proper public inquiry into the tragic death of Robbie Powell'- Posted
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- Medication
- Patient death
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