First Patient Safety Commissioner for England appointed
13 July 2022
Dr Henrietta Hughes OBE has been appointed as the first Patient Safety Commissioner (PSC) for England.
In response to the recommendations from Baroness Cumberlege’s review into patient safety, published in 2020, the PSC will work to improve the safety of medicines and medical devices.
The First Do No Harm report explored issues relating to the use of Primodos, sodium valproate and pelvic mesh. It highlighted the need to better protect and listen to patients and recommended the creation of an independent Patient Safety Commissioner. In July 2021, the government published its formal response to the recommendations including a commitment to appoint a PSC with a remit covering medicines and medical devices.
Dr Hughes will be an independent point of contact for patients, giving a voice to their concerns to make sure they are heard. She will help the NHS and Government better understand what they can do to put patients first, promote the safety of patients and the importance of the views of patients and other members of the public.
