Member Article

Former Health Secretary joins impressive line-up of speakers at major industry congress on patient safety

Organisers of the HSJ Patient Safety Congress are pleased to confirm that three of the UK’s most influential figures in the field will be speaking at the event – which is taking place on 15-16 September in Manchester Central.

The Congress is the only event of its kind which brings together stakeholders from across the health and care spectrum to debate the most critical patient safety issues, sharing practical solutions to enable progress, in line with the national Patient Safety Strategy.

The 2-day annual meeting provides a welcome opportunity to demonstrate best practice, innovation and renewed efforts to drive forward the nationwide commitment of putting safety and quality at the heart of patient care. Around 1,000 delegates from across the sector are expected to attend.

The Congress also coincides with the much-anticipated appointment of the first Patient Safety Commissioner for England (September 2022), as well as over 700 new Patient Safety Specialist roles across the country.

As part of the line-up of key speakers, Commons Health & Social Care committee Chair Jeremy Hunt, former Secretary of State turned patient safety campaigner, will share his views on how reducing avoidable deaths can be done while saving money, reducing backlogs and improving working conditions.

National Director of Patient Safety Dr Aidan Fowler will provide a long-awaited update on the NHS Patient Safety Strategy three years after its launch, looking at progress and new priorities through the pandemic period.

And, Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE, newly appointed as the first Patient Safety Commissioner will reveal her immediate priorities for the new role.

Speaking to the HSJ earlier this month, Dr Hughes, commented; “I was really keen….to see what we could do to actually put the patient voice at the absolute heart of how we make decisions in healthcare, how we design healthcare, but also how we listen to people when things go wrong”.

Others due to speak include former Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Ted Baker; NHSE Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for Improvement, Professor Charlotte McArdle; and Health Foundation Chief Executive, Jennifer Dixon. The programme includes: pioneering case studies; platforms to exchange ideas with peers to find ways to best support staff welfare, including the implications and impact of long-covid on patient safety; exploring the opportunities of Integrated Care Systems (ICSs); updates and insights from the Patient Safety Commissioner as well as first-hand reflections from Patient Safety Specialists.

And, new for 2022, delegates will also be able to join sessions looking at specific safety concerns in high priority service areas such as women’s healthcare, digital health and care & safety in non-acute settings – as well as ‘hands on’ demonstrations such as CPR training in the exhibition hall.

Shaun Lintern, Sunday Times Health Editor, who will once again be chairing the event comments; “We have to be realistic that the NHS has faced some huge challenges over the last two years and, therefore, a real aim of the Congress is to present a programme which brings together speakers and experts from right across the health system – as well external contributors – who will look at some of the ‘big issues’, engaging with our audience and suggesting positive ways forward.

“Everybody has a role in patient safety - whatever their position or level within their organisation - and this Congress really is for everybody.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jo Hudson .