It is not enough to be trained in the knowledge and skills and art of medicine, you need to know about the service you are delivering
A recognised leader in public health and patient safety, Sir Liam Donaldson, believes junior doctors are at the frontline of healthcare delivery and can prevent harm by being aware of the wider system of care around them.
The World Health Organisation’s envoy on patient safety and former Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England spoke exclusively to the Medical Protection Society about the future of patient safety and called for the next generation to understand the risks of the care they provide.
Sir Liam Donaldson says: “Care is inherently unsafe but most people may not be aware of the risks around them. It is not enough to be trained in the knowledge and skills and art of medicine, you need to know about the service you are delivering.
“Patient safety isn’t about criticising individual doctors or nurses, or the NHS; this is a worldwide problem, so there is an opportunity for junior doctors to play a part in solving that problem.
Patient safety isn’t about criticising individual doctors or nurses, or the NHS; this is a worldwide problem
“We want the future to show systematic improvements in safety, saving lives, reducing harm, making error less common and when it does happen of much lower impact – junior doctors can be at the forefront of that.”
Sir Liam Donaldson emphasised the valuable role some junior doctors are already playing. Junior doctors represent half the workforce and many are engaged, educated, motivated and instilled with the passion to make healthcare safer.
During the 12 years that Sir Liam was CMO for England and the UK’s Chief Medical Adviser he produced a series of reports and policy initiatives that shaped public health, NHS care and clinical practice.
More information
For further information please contact Kim Watson, Press Officer at +44 207 399 1409 or email kim.watson@mps.org.uk
Notes to editors
- Sir Liam Donaldson features in this month’s edition of New Doctor. In this issue you can also find out the risks of working abroad, current political issues facing junior medics and what to expect from a career in plastics.
- To listen to the podcast with Sir Liam Donaldson click here
- MPS is holding an International Conference on Quality and Safety in Healthcare: Making a Difference in London on 15-16 November 2012. Speakers from around the world will be addressing issues on quality, patient experience, safety culture, cost and professionalism. More information can be found here.