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With the National Learning from Deaths Programme Board stalled, the bereaved families who were to be involved in its work have once again been left harmed and without any answers, write Dr Josephine Ocloo and David Smith in this HSJ article.

A video of the recent Harmed Patients Alliance webinar on restorative healing after healthcare harm.

Safety systems are socio-cultural in nature, characterised by people, their relationships to one another and to the whole. This study, publishe in the International Journal for Quality in Health Care, aimed to (i) map the social networks of New Zealand’s quality improvement and safety leaders, (ii) illuminate influential characteristics and behaviours of key network players and (iii) make recommendations regarding how networks might be optimised.

James Titcombe, Patient Safety Campaigner and co-founder of Harmed Patients Alliance, discusses the findings of the recent Bill Kirkup report 'The Life and Death of Elizabeth Dixon: A Catalyst for Change'.

Sarah Seddon's son (Thomas) was stillborn in May 2017. The lack of candour following Thomas’ death and the conduct of the serious incident investigation impacted significantly on Sarah and her family. The local investigation was followed by a Fitness to Practise (FtP) investigation where Sarah experienced how damaging, dehumanising and traumatic FtP processes can be for patients who are required to be witnesses. Here she reflects on the impact of being a witness in a Fitness to Practise (FtP) hearing had on her.

In this editorial. Peter Walsh reflects on 20 years as Chief Executive of Action against Medical Accidents (AVMA) as he retires from the role. AvMA also marks its 40th anniversary this year, and Peter examines the organisation's unique role in focusing on patient safety and justice for patients. He highlights that healthcare systems and patient safety practice still have a long way to go in offering fairness and support to families affected by avoidable harm in healthcare, and argues that focusing on patients and their families must be a top priority when looking at system safety. He highlights the vital role that AvMA has played in bringing Duty of Candour into law in the countries of the UK, and argues that legal action is an important right that must be retained for patients and families who have come to harm as a result of medical error. He also talks about AvMA's recent development of a Harmed Care Pathway in collaboration with the Harmed Patients Alliance, which outlines the specific set of needs that should form part of a package of care for harmed patients and families.