Recent inquiries demand a clear, direct and robust response, says Nesbitt

The findings of two recent health inquiries in Northern Ireland demand a clear, direct and robust response, the Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has said.

In a hard-hitting speech to senior health leaders, Nesbitt said the experiences of patients described in the reports had rocked public confidence in the health and social care system.

The minister said both reports set out serious and in places deeply disturbing failings in care which highlight breakdown in systems, in oversight and culture.

He was addressing health trust chief executives and chairs of trusts, the Public Health Agency and other bodies including the regulator the RQIA.

Approximately 100 people attended the conference which was designed to address improving patient safety and patient experience.

They were told that where failings are found and where standards fall the public have a reasonable expectation to expect regulatory action, professional sanction, and the criminal law where necessary.

Nesbitt said he expected that implementation of the recommendations from both the Muckamore and urology inquiries to be progressed with pace, energy, and commitment.

"Both reports set out serious and in places deeply disturbing failings in care," he said.

"Taken together, they present a picture that is wholly unacceptable. They amount to a stark and sobering indictment of failures in care, in culture, in ignoring warnings, especially from family members, and in accountability. A failure to be curious and a failure to listen."

Once again the minister apologised to the patients, service users and families at the centre of the two public inquiries for the harm, distress and loss that they have experienced.

He said that behind every inquiry are individuals and families who trusted services but were let down.

Nesbitt said that in planning how to move forward the reality for the families must remain at the forefront of their minds.

It is not often that senior leaders and health board members are called out like this.

They heard that the responsibility for ensuring and assuring the safety and quality of care rests with the leaders and their board members.

The media were allowed to film the minister's speech but had to leave before the start of the round table discussions.

With almost 87,000 people working in health and social care, the minister said most are hardworking and dedicated to providing a compassionate service.

Change is under way including to improve culture including the Being Open Framework, the Being Human Framework, Duty of Candour legislation, the new Complaints Handling Process, and newly established Patient Safety & Quality Committees.

Nesbitt said if this generation is to pass the health and social care system to the next generation everyone involved has a "sacred duty" to leave it in better shape than how they inherited it.