Safeguarding

Safeguarding Patients 71
Chapter 9
Summary of Action Programme
9.1 In conjunction with the action set out in Trust, assurance and safety this response sets out a
comprehensive programme of action to respond to the issues raised by the Shipman, Ayling, Neale
and Kerr/Haslam inquiries. Our aim is to ensure that problems with the behaviour or competence
of health professionals are quickly identified and rigorously investigated and that action is taken to
protect patients and – wherever possible – help the individual to remedy the identified problems.
And we wish to do so in a way that works with the grain of existing NHS clinical governance
systems and that supports and encourages the vast majority of health professionals who are
seeking to give the best possible care to their patients.
9.2 This chapter summarises the main actions described in this response. Some are already under
way; others will be put in hand as soon as possible. The final section of the chapter describes how
we will take forward this ambitious work programme in partnership with the many interested parties,
including patient and voluntary organisations, NHS management, professional organisations, and
the professional and healthcare regulators.
Recruitment and screening processes
9.3 Guidance in this area is issued by NHS Employers, part of the NHS Confederation, and has
already been updated to meet some of the Neale recommendations. The Government:
• will consider the best way of using the new approach to regulation set out in the recent
consultation paper The future regulation of health and social care in England to promote best
practice in this area
• has asked NHS Employers to ensure that future updates of its guidance take account of all the
Neale Inquiry’s recommendations.
Clinical governance
9.4 Chapter 4 sets out the Government’s belief that action to respond to the central concerns of the
four inquiries should build on and strengthen existing clinical governance processes, not replace
them. This is fully consistent with the approach taken by the Government to improving the
management of controlled drugs in response to the Shipman Inquiry’s fourth report and with the
proposed reform of procedures for scrutinising death certificates outlined in a companion paper
published today.