New NHS safety watchdog aims to promote openness and avoid “blame culture”

A new independent patient safety watchdog for the NHS in England aims to tackle the “blame culture” that critics say hampers the health service in learning lessons to prevent future harm to patients.

The Health Service Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) is modelled on bodies that investigate air and marine safety, where there is a focus on risks to the public rather than apportioning blame to individuals. It will cover NHS commissioned services in England, including those provided by GPs.

The body, to be given statutory powers under a parliamentary bill introduced on 14 September,1 will create a “safe …