Findings from a new report released by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) show that patient care is being put at risk by staff cuts and excessive workloads, leading to unprecedented nurse stress and ill health.
Health Secretary Alex Neil has launched a set of ‘must do’ patient safety essentials at a conference on the Scottish Patient Safety Programme.
A breast implant register, more stringent checks and product traceability, and a pre-market authorisation system are among the measures proposed by the European Environment and Public Health Committee to prevent a recurrence of the PIP defective breast implants case. The resolution was passed unanimously.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued updated advice to surgeons that patients with a particular type of metal-on-metal hip replacement should be monitored annually for the life of the hip replacement.
Following recent concerns regarding French Poly Implant Prostheses implants, the Government has announced a review, led by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, the NHS Medical Director, to look at the arrangements for ensuring the safety of people seeking cosmetic interventions such as breast implants and dermal fillers.
In addition, the Care Quality Commission is to conduct a swift review of private clinics that offer cosmetic surgery. They will look at whether they meet essential levels of safety and quality and at the information and support they provide to their patients. Where a provider does not meet these requirements, the CQC has a wide range of enforcement powers that it can use to protect the safety of patients.
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, said:
“The safety of people who decide to have cosmetic surgery or a cosmetic intervention is my sole aim. The vast majority of practitioners in the cosmetic industry are professional and well skilled – but I’m concerned that the sector as a whole does not have the systems for monitoring the results for patients and alerting us to possible problems.
“I will work with the industry to improve regulation and governance and increase consumer confidence.”
