Committees

Patient safety and gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare

17 September 2018

The Health and Social Care Committee holds evidence session to consider the implications for patient safety of the application of the law on gross negligence manslaughter, and professional regulation in such cases.

Witnesses

Tuesday 16 October in Committee Room 6, Palace of Westminster 

At 2.30 pm

  • Professor Sir Norman Williams, author of a rapid policy review, Gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare
  • Professor Pali Hungin, member of the independent review commissioned by the General Medical Council of gross negligence manslaughter in the medical profession
  • Sir Robert Francis QC, medical lawyer and patient safety advocate
  • Dr Suzanne Shale, independent consultant in healthcare ethics, patient safety and conflict resolution

At 3.30 pm

  • Charlie Massey, Chief Executive and Registrar, General Medical Council
  • Matthew McClelland, Director of Fitness to Practise, Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • Mark Stobbs, Director of Scrutiny and Quality, Professional Standards Authority
  • Keith Conradi, Chief Investigator, Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch  

Purpose of the session

The session arises particularly out of issues raised by the recent case of Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba. The Committee's questioning will not, however, focus exclusively on that individual case, and will not be re-opening any matters dealt with by the courts. It will instead seek to draw lessons from that case, and others, for how such cases should be dealt with by investigators, healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies and professional regulators in order to best protect patient safety, including through promoting a culture of openness and reflective practice.

Written submissions are not being sought ahead of this session: anyone who would like to bring any matters to the attention of the Committee before the hearing takes place is invited to contact the Clerk of the Committee at hsccom@parliament.uk.

Further information

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