Labour pledges to strengthen accountability for NHS bosses in wake of Letby case
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abour has vowed it should guarantee NHS managers discovered responsible of significant wrongdoing are disbarred beneath a “proper system of accountability” if the celebration wins the following election.
The Opposition mentioned the Government has “dragged its feet” over strengthening accountability for bosses within the well being service.
Calls for this have mounted within the wake of the Lucy Letby case, as whistleblowers’ considerations in regards to the little one serial killer weren’t addressed for months earlier than she was lastly taken off frontline duties.
NHS leaders have huge accountability for the well being of their sufferers, but at the moment face much less regulation than financial institution managers
Senior medical doctors on the Countess of Chester Hospital, the place the 33-year-old nurse carried out her year-long homicide spree on the neonatal unit, have mentioned hospital managers must be regulated in the same technique to medical doctors and nurses.
A Labour authorities would introduce knowledgeable regulatory system, with skilled requirements and coaching for folks working hospitals to reinforce accountability and affected person security, in response to the celebration.
A regulatory physique, which Labour would seek the advice of on as soon as in workplace, would have the ability to droop and exclude managers for critical misconduct.
Shadow well being secretary Wes Streeting mentioned: “The appalling murders at the Countess of Chester hospital are not the first time whistleblowers have been ignored, when listening to their warnings could have saved lives.
“NHS leaders have enormous responsibility for the health of their patients, yet currently face less regulation than bank managers.
“To protect patient safety, this must change. The case for a proper system of accountability has been made again and again. Labour will introduce this in office, and make sure those found guilty of serious misconduct are disbarred.
“Labour will also implement strong professional standards and training for managers, to foster excellent leadership throughout our health service.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson mentioned: “There are a number of systems and processes in place to ensure accountability of NHS directors.
“NHS England has recently strengthened these through the introduction of the Fit and Proper Person Framework, which includes a set of standard competencies for board directors, a means of retaining information regarding individual directors and a new board member reference template. We keep this policy under active review.”