From Volume 42, Issue 4, May 2015 | Pages 316-317
The professional regulators were identified in the Francis Report as having a central role in maintaining fundamental standards of care. This paper describes the key themes in the Report and the importance of regulatory powers to ensure that the serious failings in patient care highlighted by the Mid-Staffs Inquiry cannot be repeated. The central role of the GDC Standards in the profession's response to the Francis Report is stressed.
Significant failings in patient care were identified at Stafford Hospital Trust by the Healthcare Commission in 2008, including very poor treatment of older patients in particular, apparently high mortality rates for those admitted as emergencies and general inadequacies in the running of the hospital.
The Second Francis Inquiry1 which began in 2010 sought to examine the commissioning, supervisory and regulatory organizations in relation to their monitoring role at Mid-Staffs between 2005 and 2009 and why the serious problems were not identified and acted on sooner. It also had the remit to identify important lessons to be learnt for the future of patient care.
Robert Francis QC made a total of 290 recommendations, but there are five central recommendations which run through the report:
Whilst many of the recommendations within the Francis Report were not directed specifically at professional regulators, the GDC aims to use its regulatory powers to reinforce the overall approach recommended in it. These powers cover:
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