Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust launches new initiative to improve patient care

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust has become one of the first organisations in the country to launch a Just Culture approach.

This is a commitment to learning lessons from incidents and accidents to prevent re-occurrence. The aim is to improve the quality and safety of patient care and create a positive working environment for staff.

It is based on an approach where staff aren’t blamed for honest errors. Instead they feel supported and encouraged to come forward and share their experiences to allow lessons to be learned. It aims to get to the heart of what, not who, was responsible for an error. 

Just Culture is already being used in other industries, such as airlines and nuclear organisations.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust runs mental health, learning disability and community services across six boroughs of Greater Manchester.

The Trust already has strong processes and systems to report and learn from mistakes.  

Following staff feedback that the current approach has not always felt fair and could be improved, senior leaders have committed to launching a Just Culture approach.  It forms part of a wider piece of work around the organisation’s culture and values, which will have a greater focus on kindness and fairness. 

To create a strong foundation on which to build Just Culture, conversations are being had with staff, patients, their families and others.

These conversations were kick started at a dedicated launch event on Friday 8 March.

Attendees welcomed guest speaker Dr Bill Kirkup CBE. He was chair of the Morecambe Bay Investigation and member of the Hillsborough Independent Panel and spoke about “how we learn”. 

Bill said: “I applaud Pennine Care for developing a Just Culture approach and was delighted to speak at their launch event.

“Healthcare is risky; it always has been and always will be. No-one likes owning up to mistakes, and it’s even harder when people are harmed, but how we respond and learn from incidents is fundamental to good patient care.

“There’s no easy or quick fix, but a positive and open workplace culture, with trust and respect among colleagues, can help eradicate a blame culture.

“Much of this is encapsulated in Just Culture, which is why I am so pleased that Pennine Care is doing this.”

Clare Parker, Pennine Care’s executive director of nursing, healthcare professionals and quality governance, added: “We’re very excited to be one of the first in the country to launch Just Culture and I’m personally committed to making sure it’s a success.

“In addition to feedback from our staff, patients and others, we’re really keen to learn from national experts. I’m delighted Bill could attend our launch event and share his vast expertise from some very high profile investigations.

“Changing a culture is not a quick and easy task. We are at the beginning of a journey that will have many challenges along the way, but also many exciting opportunities to improve patient care and create a better working life for our committed and hard-working staff.”