NMC Public Support Service highly commended at 2020 HSJ Patient Safety Awards

We are pleased to announce that our Public Support Service (PSS) has been highly commended in Patient Safety Team of the Year category at the annual Health Service Journal (HSJ) Patient Safety Awards yesterday. We also want to offer our sincerest congratulations to winning team, the Sepsis and Kidney Injury Prevention team at Bath and Royal United Hospitals.

The PSS offers support to people who use services, patients, family members or members of the public who have raised concerns about a nurse, midwife or nursing associate.

The service was developed as a part of our person-centred approach to fitness to practise in 2018, in partnership with members of the public and partner organisations.

The judges for the award said the project was “vital work which is truly patient centred, a valuable initiative which enables patients to share their experiences.” They also commented that the “the real strength of this project is that the NMC are demonstrating learning and are now listening to and engaging with those who were previously treated like evidence rather than people with feelings.”

Emma Willis, Head of Specialist Services, explains why she nominated the Public Support Service team for the Award:

“I am so delighted to see the work of the PSS recognised. I initially nominated them because their work truly reflects what we strive to achieve all throughout the NMC, ensuring people are at the heart of what we do.

"We know how challenging and emotional it can be for people to take part in our fitness to practise process. But now, through the work of the PSS, we are building relationships, trust and confidence by listening to people’s concerns and treating them with kindness and compassion.

"It’s been a challenge to get to where we are and I am so proud of the entire team and glad to see them recognised in this way. We’re not complacent, there is still much to do but we have a plan and we’re committed to continuing our work to improve our support for people through the fitness to practise process."

Andrea Sutcliffe CBE, Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC, said:

“I am so proud of the Public Support Service team and thrilled to see them commended for their hard work and dedication. They have achieved so much in such a short space of time, improving the experience of members of the public involved in Fitness to Practise procedures. Thank you too to the members of our steering group, including members of the public, who have helped shape the development of this important service.

“To be highly commended in these prestigious awards is truly a testament to the team’s commitment to live the values of the NMC, working collaboratively and treating everyone with kindness. We know there’s still so much more we can do and I can’t wait to see what they achieve next.”

Ends

Further background

1. The full list of winners and finalists for the 2020 HSJ Patient Safety Awards can be found here.

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