Secretary of State and Social Care reaffirms commitment to respond to the Hughes report within this parliament
The Patient Safety Commissioner has continued to seek clarity from the Department of Health and Social Care on financial redress for the thousands of patients harmed by valproate and pelvic mesh. On 2 March 2026, the Commissioner wrote to the Secretary of State requesting an update on timelines for a compensation scheme and highlighting the […]
Patient Safety Commissioner calls for urgent compensation for pelvic mesh and valproate patients
More than two years after the Hughes Report was published, the Government has yet to provide a clear timeline for implementing a compensation scheme for the thousands of patients harmed by pelvic mesh and valproate. Professor Hughes has described the delay as unacceptable, given the severity and scale of harm involved, and has written directly […]
Patient Safety Commissioner to approach Number 10 directly over redress delays
Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes has today announced she will approach Number 10 directly to secure financial redress for those harmed by pelvic mesh and the medicine valproate, following a Government update that provides no timetable for decisions on financial compensation. The announcement comes nearly two years after the publication of the Hughes Report in February 2024, which […]
Responding to the National Voices report
Responding to the publication of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and National Voices report – ‘Patient views on medical devices prescribed to them outside of hospital in England’ Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes said: “Hearing the patient voice is paramount if we are to make important progress in the way we […]
Patient Safety Commissioner publishes letter to Minister Ahmed
On Friday 31 October 2025, marking the second anniversary of the Ministerial Advice to the DHSC, I wrote to Minister Ahmed formally to exercise the powers under the Medicines and Medical Devices Act 2021 (Sch 1, para 3), to request information for the purposes of carrying out my core duties. I have requested a clear timeline of […]
PSC and MHRA welcome Dash review of patient safety organisations
Following the publication of the government’s 10 Year Plan on the 3rd of July 2025, which confirmed that the hosting of the Patient Safety Commissioner will be transitioning from the Department of Health and Social Care to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Patient Safety Commissioner Professor Henrietta Hughes and MHRA Chief Executive […]
Patient Safety Commissioner welcomes 10 Year Health Plan
I welcome the 10-Year Health Plan, specifically the focus on patient voice, transparency and accountability. Working in partnership with patients and listening to what they say leads to more improvement and less harm. I look forward to supporting patients and the healthcare system to make this a reality for all.
PSC Annual Report laid before Parliament
My annual report for 2024-25 has been laid before Parliament. It highlights the policy work and activities over the year. It is available on my website here
RNID and SignHealth publish report on accessibility of healthcare for people with hearing loss
The RNID and SignHealth have published a report on accessible healthcare for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. The report shows that the NHS does not have the systems in place to fulfil the right to accessible healthcare for people who are deaf or have hearing loss, and the NHS often fails to […]
HSSIB report highlights challenges to managing safety systems
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has published a new report, Safety Management: Accountability Across Organisational Boundaries, highlighting significant challenges in managing patient safety risks across multiple healthcare providers. This report highlights that there exist no overarching safety management principles to ensure a consistent collaborative report across healthcare providers and ICBs. The investigation examines […]
New analysis reveals reduction in valproate prescribing
Prescribing of valproate has reduced significantly following the introduction of a quality improvement programme that promotes safety and patient choice. New analysis presented to the National Patient Safety Committee shows: a 53% reduction in initiation in girls aged 0-12 a 60% reduction in 13-54 women started on valproate a 65% reduction in women re-starting valproate […]
Introducing Ryan’s Rule, the forerunner of Martha’s Rule
Ryan’s Rule was developed in response to the tragic death of Ryan Saunders in 2007. Sadly, Ryan died from an undiagnosed streptococcal infection that led to toxic shock syndrome. Worried that Ryan’s condition was worsening, his parents…
Review finds safety recommendations system ‘untenable’
The current situation on recommendations for safety and quality in healthcare is untenable according to a new review. The DHSC-commissioned review was published by HSSIB on behalf of a group of ALBs. It concludes that the substantial number of recommendations made to the healthcare system means providers struggle to prioritise and implement recommendations. It found […]
PSC welcomes new guidance on valproate usage by men
Men taking valproate and their partners are being advised to use effective contraception according to new guidance from the MHRA. It recommends that male patients and their partners use effective contraception during valproate treatment and for at least three months after stopping the medication. It follows a study which reports a possible association between valproate […]
New summary of key patient safety surveys
The 2024 edition of Patient Experience in England is now available from Care Opinion. As well as summarising the key findings from last year’s large scale patient surveys, the report looks at wider research covering issues such as equity and accessibility as well as studies on patient voice and safety. It is available at Patient Experience […]
NHS England launches new primary care patient safety strategy
NHS England has released a new primary care patient safety strategy. Although the National Patient Strategy pertains to all sectors, this new strategy provides specific focus on primary care and sets out national and local commitments. View it at NHS England » The NHS Patient Safety Strategy