Published on 7th July 2025, the ‘Review of Patient Safety Across the Health and Care Landscape’ follows the review into the operational effectiveness of the Care Quality Commission from October 2024 which found significant failings in the internal workings of the organisation.
Patient safety oversight is becoming increasingly complex driven by overlapping responsibilities and poor coordination among regulatory bodies. Commissioned by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, this new independent report from Dr Penny Dash has been published reviewing 6 organisations that assure or contribute to improving patient safety:
- CQC
- Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB)
- Patient Safety Commissioner
- National Guardian's Office
- Healthwatch England and Local Healthwatch
- the patient safety learning aspects of NHS Resolution
"The current system for complaints and concerns is confusing and may lack responsiveness."
9 key recommendations outlined in the report:
- Revamp, revitalise and significantly enhance the role of the National Quality Board
- Continue to rebuild the Care Quality Commission with a clear remit and responsibility
- Continue Health Services Safety Investigation Body's role as a centre of excellence for investigations and clarify the remit of any future investigations
- Transfer the hosting arrangement of the Patient Safety Commissioner to MHRA, and broader patient safety work to a new directorate for patient experience within NHS England, transferring to the new proposed structure within DHSC
- Bring together the work of Local Healthwatch, and the engagement functions of integrated care boards (ICBs) and providers, to ensure patient and wider community input into the planning and design of services
- Streamline functions relating to staff voice
- Reinforce the responsibility and accountability of commissioners and providers in the delivery and assurance of high quality care
- Technology, data and analytics should be playing a far more significant role in supporting the quality of health and social care
- There should be a national strategy for quality in adult social care, underpinned by clear evidence
The report outlines each key recommendation in further detail as well as setting out a path forward aligned with the recently announced NHS 10 Year Health Plan, aiming to ensure more responsive, joined-up, and patient-centred care.
Read more on the Review of Patient Safety Across the Health and Care Landscape here
