Reflecting on patient safety in 2022

All in all, 2022 was a bumper year for the publication of seminal patient safety reports. These reports were highly significant, with major implications for patients and the NHS. Patient safety as a topic is a major one and relentless efforts are needed by all in the NHS to bring about a proper patient safety culture.

This need for relentless action is reflected in the publication cycle of reports. There is a danger that, with the frequency of reports, vital patient safety messages can get lost. In a sense, the adage about ‘yesterday's news’ applies. Key recommendations are made in one patient safety crisis report. There is then a flurry of media attention and soul-searching by trusts and then another crisis report breaks. The previous report is soon forgotten, consigned to the pile dating back well over 20 years. These reports make excellent recommendations but seemingly many get lost and important changes do not take root.