World Morning Star
Constance: NHS Grampian scandal ‘a line in the sand’
THE damning report into management failure at NHS Grampian must be a “line in the sand,” according to Scottish Health Secretary Angela Constance. Ms Constance made the remarks after the publication of
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Ms Constance made the remarks after the publication of a review by watchdog Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) which uncovered “serious weaknesses in all aspects of leadership and management of the medical workforce across the acute sector of NHS Grampian.”
The review, which was prompted by the board’s own chief executive Laura Skaife-Knight back in May, also raised “serious concerns” over internal procedures following the death of a patient who died during surgery as a result of complications, and warned the board had made a “major omission” by “not meaningfully examining” the actions, clinical decision-making, and operative techniques of the surgeons involved.
HIS branded the investigation a “concerning and unjustifiable failure of governance and a missed opportunity to improve patient safety.”
Further failures were identified after the board was forced to temporarily suspend paediatric surgery at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin on July 9, amid concerns over the “safe and effective care for critically unwell paediatric patients.”
NHS Grampian later notified HIS that paediatric dental and ENT surgery had, in fact, continued until August 6.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland today, former BMA Scotland chair and Highland GP Dr Iain Kennedy called the report “extremely concerning and very distressing for patients and healthcare staff alike.”
He said: “Sadly, I don’t think this is unique to NHS Grampian and probably would be mirrored across the other 13 health boards in Scotland.
“There is a culture of fear and cover-up in the NHS in Scotland.”
On the same show, Ms Constance responded: “I will be demanding full transparency at every level within NHS Grampian.
“I’ve been very clear with the chief executive and the new chair that if there are further changes that are required in terms of leadership, my expectation would be of any board to make the necessary changes because we have to rebuild patient trust and the trust of the community.
“This report has to be a line in the sand. It has to be a catalyst for change that will deliver improvements now but also sustainably and in the longer term for the future.
“Because this is not acceptable, and it must change, and it will change.”