The report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS Review) has been subtitled First Do No Harm – a phrase that those working in healthcare know as a first principle. The report recognises that the healthcare system has lots to be proud of, especially at this time of the pandemic.
Sadly the IMMDS Review Chair, Baroness Cumberlege, also speaks about a disjointed, siloed, unresponsive and defensive healthcare system that does not listen to the concerns of patients. ISCAS always aims to be compassionate, responsive and fair when independently reviewing complaints – we also know that we can improve.
The ISCAS website provides more information for private patients treated in the independent sector or NHS on the ISCAS 3 stage process. ISCAS provided evidence to IMMDS Review and we are looking at the report to see how we can learn and further improve our services. We will be offering support to the implementation taskforce in relation to the actions identified from theme 5 on complaints.
The ISCAS position is that communications regarding escalation of complaints should be presented by funding source, rather than service provider types. In England patients receiving NHS funded care can escalate complaints to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), whether the treatment is delivered in the NHS or the independent sector. Private patients treated in the independent sector or in NHS private patient units/beds cannot access PHSO.