The lessons learned and recommendations set out in the Francis report are clearly intended to have an impact outside Stafford Hospital. Among many problems highlighted the report identifies:

The buck stops with the Board, and some of the wide-ranging recommendations set out in the report will have a direct impact on Board composition, conduct and performance.

Whilst the Inquiry’s detailed findings and recommendations are awaited, an examination of the evidence identifies a range of themes to which the sector should have regard in anticipation of the final report and beyond.  In this alert, we focus on the theme of the effectiveness of provider boards.

This article by Georgia Ford and Claire Bentley looks at some of the key issues that health professionals need to be familiar with in order to properly fulfil their duties to patients and to protect themselves and their employer.

Obtaining good factual evidence is essential for the successful defence of a claim.  The key to obtaining that evidence is effective and empathetic communication with the doctors, nurses or midwives who were involved in the care of the patient and from whom we seek factual evidence. 

Claire Bentley and Jane Bennett look at the issues that front line staff should be considering when dealing with police requests for information.

• Contract management: National Audit Office Report on the performance of hospital PFI projects
• Professional negligence: Overvaluation not  negligent despite errors
• Construction Projects: Recovering costs and losses from professional advisers
• Time limit for making claim for loss and expense held to be a condition precedent.
• Entire agreement clause did not prevent rectification
• Why you should question offers which seem too good to be true
• Withdrawal of Part 36 offer
• 74 hours delay in delivering Decision made adjudicator's Decision unenforceable
• The importance of complying with contractual notice provisions