New patient safety campaign designed 'by the NHS for the NHS'

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Nurses are being asked to sign up to a new two-year campaign designed to boost patient safety.

The Patient Safety First Campaign was launched last week at the NHS Confederation annual conference in Manchester. Its developers say it is unique in that has been put together 'by the service, for the service, for the benefit of patients'.

The safety drive is focusing on five areas initially – reducing inpatient cardiac arrest and mortality rates by early detection deteriorating patients; introducing care bundles in ICU; reducing harm from high-risk drugs like anticoagulants; improving care for adult patients undergoing elective surgery and ensuring a trust leadership culture that promotes patient safety.

'The campaign is being developed and led by a team of dedicated and passionate clinicians and managers from across England,' said campaign director Stephen Ramsden, chief executive of Luton and Dunstable NHS Foundation Trust.

'As such, the campaign is 'by the service, for the service'; which means the service working on the campaign's development on all levels, from boards to teams, to individuals,' he added. 'It therefore presents a unique opportunity to energise and involve frontline staff, as well as board members, in the quality and safety agenda.'