Published 9 June 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b2286
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b2286

Feature

Patient Safety

Standing up for safety

¹ London

Junior doctors are ideally placed to spread safer healthcare practices. Nigel Hawkes reports on a conference calling them to arms

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Health care is a dangerous business. One in 300 patients admitted to hospital will die as a result of a medical error, and 1 in 10 will be harmed. But need it be so dangerous, and what needs to change to make it safer? A one day conference held in London on 1 June aimed to make junior doctors more aware about patient safety. The conference, which was jointly organised by the Department of Health, BAMMbino (the junior doctor arm of the British Association of Medical Managers), the BMJ, and the National Patient Safety Agency, saw a lively exchange of views between the profession’s leaders and the next generation—who made it plain in forceful and formidably articulate contributions from the floor that plenty needs to be done.

Would anybody ever get on a commercial airline flight if told before boarding that the chances of dying were 1 in 300? . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

• Wilmshurst, P. T (2009). Sitting leaders ask you to stand up for safety. BMJ 339: b2816-b2816 [Full text]  
• McNicol, M. W (2009). Where is the NHS Macpherson?. BMJ 339: b2722-b2722 [Full text]  

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