Lessons not learned

In the wake of the conviction of Lucy Letby, a neonatal nurse who has been found guilty of the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six babies, the focus of the nation is on the multiple tragedies that the families have faced, the healthcare staff who tried to blow the whistle, and safety issues in hospitals.NHS England has responded to the conviction by stating that trusts should look at whistleblowing policies, that those unfit to hold directorships should not be appointed, and with that well worn phrase “lessons will be learned.”1 But will they?We see the same issues emerging here that we have seen many times in the past 50 years’ worth of patient safety inquiries. Frontline staff have concerns ignored or suppressed, NHS Trust boards appear more concerned with potential reputational damage and financial performance than quality of care, growing staff shortages, a leadership apparently lacking in…
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