Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, which recommendations from the Francis Inquiry (a) his Department implemented during the previous Parliament and (b) he plans to implement during the current Parliament.

Culture Change in the NHS[1], published in February 2015, outlined progress in implementing Sir Robert Francis QC’s Inquiry recommendations. An annexe to this report outlined progress for each of the 290 recommendations[2]. This report shows that for the overwhelming majority of recommendations, progress has either been substantial, or the relevant action is now complete.

Key achievements include new rigorous inspection regime, a robust special measures regime to help struggling hospitals get back on their feet, new Fundamental Standards and a Duty of Candour.

The Government remains committed to driving change in the key Francis-related areas of leadership, patient safety and the importance of establishing a learning culture in the National Health Service.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/403010/culture-change-nhs.pdf

[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/403012/culture-change-nhs-annex.pdf