Committee Publishes New Report On Healthcare Changes

A clinical negligence expert at Irwin Mitchell has urged the government to take note of a warning issued over the potential impact that changes to the NHS could have.

The Public Accounts Committee has published a report on the potential risks and implications of the Health and Social Care Bill which acknowledges that while changes could improve efficiency, they may also distract from safeguarding standards of patient care.

In addition, concerns were raised that the Department of Health has yet to develop a risk management protocol and suggested that effective systems are needed to ensure the interests of patients are protected.

Medical Law and Patients’ Rights experts at Irwin Mitchell regularly provide advice to victims and families who have suffered as a result of errors or failings in patient safety standards.

Beth Reay, a solicitor and clinical negligence specialist at the firm, said: “While it is concerning to see such issues flagged, it is welcome that the problems have been flagged at this relatively early stage.

“We have seen the terrible impact that errors and negligence within the NHS can have on so many lives, seriously affecting both victims who often have to rebuild their life after such problems.

“It is fundamental that the safety of patients being treated by the NHS is not undermined in any way by changes made to the service.

“All people deserve to have access to the best possible standards of care and health authorities have a duty to ensure this is always the case.”