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Independent Inquiry
An Independent Inquiry report into events at Airedale Hospital which were the subject of criminal charges against a night nurse practitioner (Sister Grigg Booth) between 2000 and 2002 has been published.
Bridget Fletcher, Chief Nurse at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust says: “The Trust welcomes publication of this report and we would like to offer our sincere condolences to all those affected by the events between 2000 and 2002. We regret these events and hope the report will bring some comfort by shedding light on the circumstances.
“The report clearly establishes the facts and we hope that this final stage of the process has now fully explained the details concerning each patient, as well as the actions of Sister Grigg Booth, other staff and the systems in place at the hospital at the time of the events, eight years ago.
“As outlined in the report, the Trust has made significant improvements, particularly since 2005 when a new executive team was established. We have completely changed the way we run the hospital and have put clinical leadership at the centre of everything we do. We have carried out a comprehensive overhaul of our quality and safety systems, complimented by weekly executive safety walk-rounds. We have made significant investment in training and development for staff in risk management and patient safety, and made major improvements to how we prescribe and administer drugs, which means that the events of eight years ago could not be repeated. It is for that reason that the Inquiry Panel’s recommendations for the Trust are relatively few.
“The Trust takes the findings of the Independent Inquiry and its recommendations very seriously and since 2005 has taken many steps to make changes and improvements to our procedures. We will also be sharing the Inquiry report with all our staff to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to further reflect on how we can make additional improvements as we strive to provide the safest care possible.
“It is important to note that these events occurred 2000 – 2002, well before the development of Foundation Trust policy.
“The report complements the current arrangements at the hospital, particularly its leadership, governance and safety systems, and in fact highlights much of what we do as good practice for others to follow. However, we are never complacent about safe care and always strive to learn and improve for the best interests of our patients.
“On behalf of the Trust and all our staff we would like to reassure both patients and the local community that patient safety is, and always will be, our highest priority.”