Criminalisation of unintentional error – DAUK https://dauk.org The voice of frontline doctors Sun, 29 Mar 2020 22:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 DAUK says ongoing PPE shortages are unforgivable https://dauk.org/2020-4-2-ppethesun/ https://dauk.org/2020-4-2-ppethesun/#respond Sun, 29 Mar 2020 22:00:00 +0000 https://dauk.org/2020-4-2-ppethesun/ AN NHS boss has told how he is “losing the will to live” after struggling to source protective equipment for staff, pleading: “God help us all.”

Alan Hoskins, chief officer of the Health Care Supply Association, spoke of his fears as more medics warned of life-threatening shortages. New clinical guidelines tell staff to wear a face mask, apron and gloves when coming within 1metre (3ft) of a potentially infected patient. The stark advice applies to those offering general care but also those taking X-rays or blood samples, doing home visits and physios.

Even cleaners have been ordered to put on a mask when cleaning areas where diseased patients may have been. The near-blanket use has seen the health service churn through personal protective equipment (PPE) at record rates.

Dr Samantha Batt-Rawden, from DAUK, said: “Frontline NHS doctors, and indeed all clinicians, are putting their lives at risk every day they turn up to work.

“The news that manufacturers have offered their services to the government weeks ago but haven’t had an order will be devastating to doctors who have told us they feel they are being treated as expendable.

“Despite assurances on PPE from the government, doctors on the frontline are telling us everyday that the problem is far from fixed.At a time when the country is relying on frontline NHS staff this is unforgivable.”

]]> https://dauk.org/2020-4-2-ppethesun/feed/ 0 Dr Jenny Vaughan for BMJ-the criminalisation of unintentional error https://dauk.org/2019-3-9-front-page-of-the-bmj-the-criminalisation-of-unintentional-error/ https://dauk.org/2019-3-9-front-page-of-the-bmj-the-criminalisation-of-unintentional-error/#respond Sat, 09 Mar 2019 14:44:28 +0000 https://dauk.org/2019-3-9-front-page-of-the-bmj-the-criminalisation-of-unintentional-error/ We are grateful to BMJ for publishing this paper, written by our Law and Policy Officer Dr Jenny Vaughan in conjunction with Dr Ameratunga, Dr Klonin Dr Merry and Dr Cusack, and giving it front page profile. We hope it will be a game-changer for the UK and that no other clinicians, be they doctors, nurses or optometrists will find themselves in front of a criminal court unless they have recklessly and wilfully caused death.

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The key messages are:

-Healthcare systems should provide an adequate and effective response to patients who have been unintentionally harmed while receiving care

-To improve patient safety we need a greater focus on learning and resolution rather than retribution and blame, recognising the importance of protecting confidential personal reflective practice while encouraging open disclosure and system transparency

-In line with the recommendations from the Williams review, England and Wales should have a higher threshold for criminal prosecution in response to deaths that arise despite conscientious efforts to care for patients under difficult circumstances

-We urgently need to improve the clinical working environment and resourcing for safe functioning of hospitals

Read the full article here: https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.l706

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