The Government response to the Francis report

Abstract

T he Government cannot be accused of being slow to give its initial response to the Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry, also known as the Francis report (Department of Health, 2013a). The response (the report) (DH, 2013b), comes only 6 weeks after the publication of the Francis report. In such a short time, it could not properly address all 290 recommendations and it does not attempt to do so. Some of the recommendations will require detailed thinking and extensive consultation with the public, clinicians and others. The report therefore provides an overarching response, setting out key early priorities. The Government accepts most of the recommendations made in the report either in principle or in their entirety. What is evident from reading it is that there will be a big reform agenda that will hopefully put patient safety, advocacy and care quality at the heart of the NHS. Every NHS health carer and organisation will be affected in some way by the changes. Patient advocacy, safety, accountability, caring, compassion and professionalism are all now to be the watchwords The term ‘watershed moment’ is also used in the report. The report details: