Learn Not Blame

“Learn Not Blame” is DAUK’s central campaign, launched in Parliament on 20 November 2018. Our goal is to empower doctors to drive transformational change and reshape the culture of the NHS.

For too long, blame has been the default when things go wrong. This issue runs deep within the profession and across NHS organisations. Too often, systemic failings go unexamined, and lessons are not learned. Recent high-profile cases have shown how harmful this culture can be. We are coming together to say: enough. This must change.

The NHS needs a just culture where everyone—patients and staff alike—is valued and cared for. We should celebrate the successes of thousands of professionals while also addressing mistakes in a fair and constructive way.

The “Learn Not Blame” campaign is dedicated to building a culture of learning from adverse events. We prioritise fairness, openness, and the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare professionals. This can only happen with a commitment to creating a just culture. We aim to empower all NHS staff to influence change within their roles and make the NHS better for both workers and patients.