Page 48 - Pharmacy Appeals 1/4/04 to 31/3/05

24 Performance summary

The environment we work in

When considering our performance it is helpful to understand the environment
in which we deliver our work and the risks and issues we face as an organisation.

The legal environment Health and Social Care Select Committee

Cross-government work In September 2021, we saw the launch of the Health and
Social Care Select Committee inquiry into NHS litigation
We continue to support work across Government
reform. DHSC submitted written evidence to this inquiry
to address the challenge of the rising costs of
focusing on the cost and impact of clinical negligence,
clinical negligence claims.
developing a learning culture in the NHS, and improving
Fixed recoverable costs claim resolution. We were a key contributor to this
submission. Our Director of Claims Management,
A consultation on the introduction of fixed recoverable
Simon Hammond, appeared as a witness for the
costs for lower value clinical negligence claims (generally
Committee on 11 January 2022 and our Chief Executive,
claims with damages valued at £1,500-£25,000)1,
Helen Vernon, participated in an oral evidence session on
was conducted by DHSC between 31 January and
1 February 2022 alongside Maria Caulfield MP, Minister

24 April 2022. The main objective of the proposal is
for Patient Safety and Primary Care, and Matthew Style,
to provide faster resolution of qualifying claims, with
Director General for NHS Policy and Performance at
legal costs that are more proportionate to the value of
DHSC. The House of Commons published the Health
compensation. We have been fully engaged with DHSC
and Social Care Committee: NHS litigation reform -
on this work and await the outcome of the consultation.
Thirteenth Report of Session 2021-22 on 28 April 2022.
We also contributed to the Health and Social
Care Select Committee inquiry into the safety
The health landscape
of maternity services in England with our Chief
NHS Long Term Plan and Health and Care Act Executive, Helen Vernon, who participated in an
oral evidence session on Tuesday 3 November 2020.
We continued to prepare for the NHS Long Term Plan
The Government's response to the Health and
commitment via the Health and Care Act 2022 to create
Social Care Committee report: Safety of Maternity
more joined-up and coordinated care for patients. We
services in England published in September 2021.
have worked with our system partners to advise on
indemnity arrangements for the new integrated care
NHS England's maternity plan
board structures as part of NHS reform and to explore
any changes that are required to meet the needs of We await with interest the publication of NHS England's
the changing landscape of healthcare provision. We follow-on report Better Births: Improving outcomes of
will also be engaging with ICSs to understand what maternity services in England - A Tive Year Torward View
further support they need from us as they mature. for maternity care2, anticipated in the summer of 2022.
We have also considered this work in light of our
commitment to take action on health inequalities.

https://www.aov.uk/aovernment/consultations/fixed-recoverable-costs-in-lower-value-dinical-nealiaence-daims
https://www.enaland.nhs.uk/publication/better-births-improvina-outcomes-of-maternitv-
services-in-enaland-a-five-vear-forward-view-for-maternitv-care/