To err is human, to cover up is unforgivable and to fail to learn is inexcusable.

Every year approximately 10% of patients admitted to hospitals across the world will experience a patient safety incident, according to international research. When an adverse incident occurs, it impacts not only on patients, but on their families, carers and on the physicians and clinical staff treating them. 

An international patient safety conference will be held in Dublin on Thursday September 6th next at which national and international speakers will share experiences and debate the issues which arise when a patient experiences an adverse effect as a result of the treatment they receive and the impact these incidents have on patients and clinicians.

The conference is being organised by the Health Information and Quality Authority which is undertaking a major collaborative project with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) World Alliance for Patient Safety.

The collaborative work of WHO and the Authority will result in an International Consensus Guidance, which will identify best practice for communicating with and supporting patients, their families and clinicians in the aftermath of a patient safety incident.

The initiative will work towards establishing an open environment to facilitate more responsive, positive outcomes for patients, their families and health professionals. Hilary Coates, Patient Safety International Liaison with the Health Information and Quality Authority said “There is now an increased global awareness of the patient safety problem by both the public and healthcare providers. There is growing recognition that due to the ever increasing complex nature of healthcare, although most patients receive good quality care, a percentage of patients experience an adverse incident during their care and treatment. The Health Information and Quality Authority recognises that there is a need to prepare the environment and transform the culture from blame to learning and continuous improvement. This conference and project demonstrate the commitment of the Authority to ensuring the Irish public will have the safe and quality health service they deserve.”

Mrs Margaret Murphy, a patient advocate and a public representative on the Patient Safety Commission added. “There is a need to better understand patients’ and their families' requirements in the aftermath of patient safety incidents and, in parallel, to understand the needs of clinicians. Blame and a lack of open partnerships with patients prevents a culture of safety flourishing. I look forward to working closely with the Health Information and Quality Authority and the World Alliance for Patient Safety.

“ Sir Liam Donaldson, Chair of the World Alliance for Patient Safety said; “Every time I meet a patient or a family who has suffered because of a health care mistake, I know we are not working fast enough to make the far-reaching changes needed to improve patient safety. We need to act quickly, we need to set clear goals and we need to be accountable to patients everywhere. Despite the comprehensive programme of the World Alliance for Patient Safety and the growing commitment to action on patient safety, much remains to be done. We are very pleased to be working with the Health Information and Quality Authority in Ireland to improve patient safety.”

To be addressed by key experts from around the world, the patient safety conference will be attended by patients, their families and clinicians. Speakers include: Dr Tracey Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, Health Information and Quality Authority. Sir Liam Donaldson, Chairman, World Health Organization’s World Alliance for Patient Safety. Professor Clifford Hughes AO, Chief Executive Officer, Clinical Excellence Commission., New South Wales, Australia. Professor Albert W. Wu, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Health Policy and Management, School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University. Mrs Margaret Murphy, World Health Organization’s Patients for Patient Safety. Ms Hilary Coates, Project Lead, Health Information and Quality Authority.

Those interested in attending the all day conference should contact Hilary Coates, Patient Safety International Liaison, Health Information and Quality Authority at: conference@hiqa.ie.

Ends.

Further Information: 

Anne Dalton / Laurie Mannix, MRPA KINMAN Communications 01 678 8330