Health chiefs respond to government inquiry

Oct 12 2012 by Stuart Wilson, Ayrshire Post

We are improving. And the public can have confidence in us.

That’s the message from health bosses who insist they are righting the wrongs in their system.

And they’ve assured patients that NHS Ayrshire and Arran is finally getting its house in order.

The health board hit the headlines earlier this year after being blasted for a “catalogue of failings” by Scotland’s Information Commissioner.

The revelation that critical incident reports had not been released to staff sparked a storm that led to a far reaching government inquiry.

And this summer’s report, by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, slammed a number of areas within Ayrshire and Arran’s management setup.

But after having their level of accountability and systems questioned, NHS bosses insist they have answered the call to raise their game.

Ayrshire and Arran chief executive, John Burns, said: “The HIS report highlighted a number of weaknesses in our systems and processes for conducting and monitoring reviews of significant adverse events.

“As a result, in June 2012 NHS Ayrshire and Arran published a far-reaching improvement plan which set out very clearly the changes we were going to make within challenging timescales set by me.”

Mr Burns also praised the efforts of staff in helping to push through his improvement schedule, which was implemented on Monday, October 1.

He added: “Over the past three and a half months staff from across NHS Ayrshire and Arran have been engaging with staff and public representatives about the improvement plan and refreshed process for managing SAERs.

“As a result, the refreshed process reflects their views, concerns and suggestions.

“I am very grateful to everyone who has responded so positively and with such commitment to making the improvements required so quickly and thoroughly.”