Patient safety

NHS to roll out ‘Martha’s Rule’

The head of the NHS has today announced the rollout of ‘Martha’s Rule’ in hospitals across England from April, enabling patients and families to seek an urgent review if their condition deteriorates. The patient safety initiative is set to be rolled out to at least 100 NHS sites and will give patients and their families […]

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Transition to NRFit™ connectors for intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks

A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by the NHS England National Patient Safety Team, co-badged by the Association of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group, instructing all relevant NHS funded providers to transition to NRFit™ connectors for all intrathecal and epidural procedures, and delivery of regional blocks. Transition […]

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One-year waits reduce for patients as record demand for NHS emergency care continues

NHS staff are managing record demand across emergency care ahead of winter, with new data showing Type 1 A&Es and ambulance services experienced their busiest month this year in October. New data published today shows more than 2.2 million people attended A&Es last month (2,219,618), making it the busiest October on record, and the busiest […]

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New standards for NHS board members to strengthen leadership and governance

The NHS has published a framework and supporting resources today to help senior board members to strengthen board governance, boost leadership and improve patient safety. Resources to support current and aspiring board members within the NHS to further develop their skills and careers will be sent to leaders today, including information on development programmes and […]

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Life-critical care a priority for the NHS as strike action disrupts services over the bank holiday

The NHS will prioritise urgent and emergency care again this bank holiday weekend, and is urging the public to use services wisely as industrial action enters its sixth month. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has announced strike action, starting on Sunday at 8pm and finishing on Monday at midnight. Following the recent junior doctors […]

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Inadvertent oral administration of potassium permanganate

A joint National Patient Safety Alert has been issued by the NHS England and NHS Improvement National Patient Safety Team and the British Association of Dermatologists on the risk of inadvertent oral administration of potassium permanganate. National Patient Safety Alert – Inadvertent oral administration of potassium permanganate About this alert Potassium permanganate is routinely used […]

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Infection risk when using FFP3 respirators with valves or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) during surgical and invasive procedures

A National Patient Safety Alert has been issued on the infection risk when using FFP3 respirators with valves or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PARPs) during surgical and invasive procedures. National Patient Safety Alert – Infection risk when using FFP3 respirators with valves or Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) during surgical and invasive procedures About this […]

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