"Trust leaders raise alarm over mad approach to scrutiny of maternity services" - an important article in @HSJnews today...
My thoughts thread🧵:-
hsj.co.uk/patient-safety…1. There is a need for a more streamlined & consistent vision for what safe, high quality maternity services look like and how this should be evidenced.
The 'system' including NHSR, CQC and NHSE/I should get together and agree a single vision & basis of measurement, compliance and reporting requirements.
(The 'For Us' framework developed by @THIS_Institute would be a good starting point.)
Some personal reflections. At Morecambe Bay, there was a 4 year police investigation which involved 15 detectives & cost around £2.5m. The police involvement at Morecambe Bay preceded action from regulators & the announcement of the Kirkup inquiry. 1/…
independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/…
The involvement of the police played a crucial role in bringing about the independent inquiry & persuading regulators to re-examine the situation. However, the police investigation also has some profound consequences. Including:-
2/….
Jun 29, 2022 • 6 tweets • 1 min read
A short rant ⬇️
I’ve met loads of brilliant, passionate & committed patient safety people over the years - but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t met (& been taken in & used) by a tiny number whose true motivation is empire building, self promotion & career progression.
1/6
Characteristics to watch for:
Constant exaggeration / mis-truths about who they know / what they have achieved & the influence they have.
Showering people with praise & adoration when there is a strategic advantage to doing so…
2/6
Apr 21, 2022 • 11 tweets • 2 min read
I’ve experienced a strong backlash from some over the last week or so following some of my tweets. In particular, after highlighting some midwifery job adverts which mentioned ‘promoting normality’ - which were then picked up in the national media.
1/11
I’ve seen some pretty wild comments/accusations (some very distressing) and I do think my views have been mis-represented by some - so happy to try and clarify here.
2/11
Mar 29, 2022 • 9 tweets • 3 min read
Tomorrow will be a very important day for maternity safety. It will also be a hugely difficult time for families directly affected by what happened & for anyone with personal experiences that relate to the issues the report will cover.
1/9
It will be also be a hard day for midwives, doctors & other maternity professionals. No doubt some of the findings will be difficult to hear but my plea would be for everyone to read tomorrow’s report in a spirit of acceptance and learning.
2/9
Oct 7, 2020 • 4 tweets • 1 min read
I fear that this evidence to @CommonsHealth from Caroline Flint demonstrates why cultural issues & poor teamwork are often a prevalent issue in maternity services.
“It needs to be remembered that in Obstetrics doctors are only needed when things are going wrong – it is in their interests to make sure that things go wrong as often as possible.”
