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NHS 'wilful neglect' proposal

A major review of NHS patient safety, conducted by US expert Don Berwick, has been published and one of its key recommendations is a new criminal offence for "wilful neglect". Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said he will consider the proposal.

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Labour: Govt needs 'to get a grip' of NHS staffing levels

All the experts are now telling the Government to get a grip on staffing levels. The time for excuses is over.

Don Berwick has today joined Robert Francis and Bruce Keogh in warning of the dangers understaffed wards. It's been six months since a public inquiry told the Government to get clarity on safe staffing levels. Since then, the job cuts have continued and now 1 in 10 hospitals do not have enough staff.

While Ministers dragged their feet, over 800 nursing jobs were lost last month alone – now totalling almost 5000 since the election. David Cameron must now urgently intervene to ensure safe staffing levels in our hospitals. These dangerous cuts to nursing posts prove you can’t trust the Tories with the NHS.

– Andy Burnham, Shadow Health Secretary

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