Dr Anup Singh, a GP in Nottingham, has launched a petition asking for parliament to pass legislation to create a new watchdog for NHS managers as a direct result of the Lucy Letby case. The petition seeks to create regulatory oversight of healthcare managers in the NHS with the support of the Doctors Association UK (DAUK).
The petition urges an independent regulator to be formed to hold NHS managers accountable for decisions affecting patient safety. Most managers are dedicated professionals, but some are not held responsible when their decisions negatively impact care. The petition highlights the recent Lucy Letby case, where multiple consultants raised concerns early but subsequently had their concerns dismissed without merit.
It has received the backing of one of the consultants at the centre of the Letby case at The Countess of Chester, Dr Ravi Jayaram who said:
“A corporate manslaughter charge against the Countess of Chester as an organisation might result in a large fine but this ultimately punishes the patients cared for there, whilst the individuals whose actions facilitated this situation face no sanctions and can continue to work on highly paid NHS executive posts.”
“There needs to be a system in place so that top-level NHS managers are subject to scrutiny through an independent professional regulatory body just as frontline healthcare professionals are regulated”.
Dr Matt Kneale, DAUK Co-Chair, said:
“We believe new accountability through regulation will improve NHS patient safety. Doctors and other healthcare professionals already answer to regulators if care quality drops — why do we not hold managers to the same standards when they control resources affecting care?”
The petition aims for regulation letting patients and families refer complaints about managers.
Dr. Matt Kneale went further saying:
“Managers must make difficult decisions on whistleblowing concerns, but shouldn’t escape responsibility for unsafe practices or outright neglect of concerns. Regulation would help to ensure transparency and accountability for those with such responsibility.”
DAUK believes that managerial regulation could improve care across the NHS and other healthcare providers.
The Doctors Association UK advocates for frontline doctors. It has launched a petition to create new laws regulating healthcare managers via an independent body. DAUK believes this will make managers more accountable for patient safety impacts from their decisions.
View and sign our petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/642631
ENDS
Contact:
Lucy Stratton, DAUK
