Labour vows to get tough on serious misconduct by NHS managers
Posted 30 August 2023 - 07:00
Managers will be disbarred for serious misconduct in wake of mishandling of concerns raised over Lucy Letby; ‘Lives could have been saved,' said Wes Streeting
The Labour party has vowed it will disbar NHS managers found guilty of serious misconduct if it wins at the next election, in the wake of the Lucy Letby case.
‘Ignoring warnings cost lives’, says Wes Streeting
Shadow health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said the murder of seven babies and attempted murder of six others at the Countess of Chester Hospital by Letby in 2015 and 2016 was ‘not the first time whistleblowers have been ignored, when listening to their warnings could have saved lives’.
He added: ‘NHS leaders have enormous responsibility for the health of their patients, yet face less regulation than bank managers. To protect patient safety, this must change.
‘The case for a proper system of accountability has been made again and again. Labour will introduce this in office, and make sure those found guilty of serious misconduct are disbarred.’
Mr Streeting said the party would also implement ‘strong professional standards’ and training for NHS managers.
His comments come after Letby was sentenced to life in prison. Since her sentencing, calls have mounted to ensure whistleblowers’ concerns are taken more seriously after fears about Letby were not addressed for several months.
- RELATED: Lucy Letby given whole life sentence
Consultants described how they sounded the alarm but were overruled by managers and were even made to apologise to Letby in writing after she raised a formal grievance.
The former head of nursing at the hospital Alison Kelly has been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council following concerns about the handling of consultants' concerns. She has also been suspended from her role at the Northern Care Alliance.
Calls to strengthen Letby inquiry after it was given non-statutory footing
Meanwhile, the government ordered a non-statutory inquiry into the circumstances of the case, including how concerns raised by clinicians were handled. There are calls for this inquiry to be given more power by putting it on a statutory footing.
The Department of Health and Social Care said it was ‘standing ready’ to put the inquiry on ‘whatever footing the families deem necessary’.
A spokesperson added: ‘There are a number of systems and processes in place to ensure accountability of NHS directors. NHS England has recently strengthened these through the introduction of the fit and proper person test, which includes a set of standard competencies for board directors, a means of retaining information regarding individual directors and a new board member reference template. We keep this policy under active review.’
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