Jeremy Hunt at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
The Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, visited Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust today, August 23.
Mr Hunt and Chief Nursing Officer for England, Jane Cummings, met with some 40 members of staff from a wide range of areas and spoke about a number of issues focusing largely on patient safety and quality.
Mr Hunt also spoke of how important it is for the NHS to be open and to learn from mistakes.
In return, Mr Hunt received a presentation from the Trust’s Medical Director, Professor Mark O’Donnell and Director of Nursing and Quality, Marie Thompson.
Chief executive, Wendy Swift, said: “I would like to thank the Secretary of State and Jane Cummings for taking the time to visit our hospital and give our staff the chance to discuss at length the challenges of working within the NHS.
“We were pleased to have the opportunity to talk about the improvements we have made for patients over the last few years by working together with our partners and to show him how compassionate and dedicated our staff are.”
Mr Hunt said: “It was a privilege to meet staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and hear about the exemplary work they are doing to improve patient safety.
“I was particularly impressed by the way the Trust is creating an open, transparent culture where they challenge behaviour and learn from mistakes – an absolutely vital step in helping to achieve my ambition of making the NHS the safest healthcare system in the world.”
Jeremy Hunt meets volunteers at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Jeremy Hunt (centre) with, from left: Jane Cummings, Wendy Swift, Marie Thompson, Ian Johnson and Prof Mark O’Donnell at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Jeremy Hunt takes a question from Director of Nursing and Quality, Marie Thompson
Jeremy Hunt speaking about his plans for the NHS
Jeremy Hunt with Trust Chairman, Ian Johnson
Jane Cummings talking about her work within the NHS
Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England and Executive Director at NHS England
Jeremy Hunt talking to staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
Jeremy Hunt outlining his plans for the NHS