Trust holds inaugural Patient Safety Conference

Over 280 staff, from all roles and responsibilities across York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust attended the Trust’s inaugural Patient Safety Conference.

The conference which was entitled 'Patient Safety: The Next Frontier 'took place at York Racecourse on Friday 22 May.

Chaired by the Trust's Medical Director Alastair Turnbull and Chief Executive Patrick Crowley, the day was planned to coincide with the Trust’s clinical governance day to give as many staff as possible the opportunity to attend.

Transport was arranged for Scarborough-based staff and over 280 staff from all roles and occupations across the Trust were in attendance.

The day's agenda featured both internal and external speakers including Professor Brian Toft from the University of Coventry.

Alastair Turnbull, Medical Director, said: "Sign up to Safety is a national patient safety campaign. Launched in June 2014 its mission is to strengthen patient safety in the NHS and make it the safest healthcare system in the world.

"Organisations who Sign up to Safety commit to strengthen patient safety by setting out the actions they will undertake in response to five Sign up to Safety pledges, one of which is learning and listening.

"This event gave us the opportunity to listen and learn. It gave our staff, who work in all different roles, the opportunity to hear about the fantastic work that is taking place to improve patient safety as well as what we need to do in the future to continue to reduce harm for our patients.”

Staff displayed posters at the event showcasing their work and improvements in patient safety and awards were made for work in the following areas, falls prevention, paediatrics and deteriorating patients in community hospitals.

Alastair continued: “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this fantastic event. Feedback from those who attended was extremely positive. It was great to see staff so engaged, motivated and committed to patient safety.” 

26 May 2015