HQIP response to the publication of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review report

Published: 10 Jul 2020

HQIP welcomes the publication of this much needed report, the nine recommendations and the twenty three actions required for improvement. We pay tribute to Baroness Cumberlege and her team who have worked tirelessly to bring this report to fruition, exposing the extent of harm done because of failings in the health system and the light it shines on the experiences of women and families.

We were invited to give evidence to the IMMDS enquiry and both the National Clinical Audit and Patient Outcomes Programme (NCAPOP) and the National Joint Register (NJR) (hosted by HQIP) provided evidence. We support the report findings and will continue to work to help implement the recommendations and actions.

We note that the recommendations include the establishment of a central database. The current lack of a medical device implant registry means that the health system can only be reactive when patient safety is compromised. We know that when done well, like the National Joint Registry which was hailed as a global exemplar in Parliament last month, registries and databases make health processes and systems demonstrably safer as well as increasing transparency and accountability.

The First Do No Harm report references two important pieces of work lead by HQIP during 2019:

  1. A urogynaecological surgical mesh database feasibility study  submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care. The study made ten key recommendations.
  2. A proposal for a medical devices registry. This report followed a ‘think tank’ of experts and made 33 recommendations in support of the development and implementation of a national implantable medical devices registry, alongside 10 guiding principles which included the need for patient involvement in its development.

We are proud to have lent our expertise to this review and hope our contribution will help in some way to achieving safer care for patients with greater compassion and respect.