News archive

“Safe space” proposals could alter relationships between patients and the NHS – for worse

AvMA Chief Executive Peter Walsh, writing in the HSJ, has warned that whilst protecting staff from inappropriate actions from bad employers is a good thing, preventing patients/families from knowing the full truth would have serious unintended consequences.

Department of Health proposal to apply ‘safe space’ arrangements to all safety investigations could legitimise ‘cover-ups’

AvMA is calling on everyone who shares its concerns to respond to the consultation. The closing date is December 16th.

New guidance on consent welcomed

AvMA welcomes new guidance on obtaining informed consent issued today by the Royal College of Surgeons. The guidance re-states existing good practice pointing out that it is now mandatory following the landmark legal case of Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board. AvMA chief executive Peter Walsh said:

“This clear guidance is very welcome and is a reminder that doctors need to be given the time and resources to enable them to share decision making meaningfully with patients. Each patient needs to be treated as an individual and be enabled to make fully informed decisions about their treatment, which can have life changing implications for them.”

Cautious welcome to maternity safety and compensation proposals

AvMA has given a cautious welcome to proposals announced today by Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt for an alternative compensation scheme for maternity cases and improvements to patient safety