Carrie Jackson

Hi Leah thanks for sharing your experiences. I would argue that the second victim of serious patient safety incidents are family and loved ones with the emotional trauma impact lasting for many years and sometimes a lifetime if it is a life altering injury/death. In my case as an ex intensive care senior health professional when my brother was negligently harmed the health care staff responsible tried to cover up their mistakes (three teams from different specialties involved). 7 years to prove medical negligence but my brother has life changing injuries as a result needing 24 hour round the clock care and the impact on his family is life altering. We received one letter of apology only once we had pursued the health ombudsman. No staff lost their jobs or had their competence questioned and all are still practising today.