HC Deb 26 February 2003 vol 400 cc633-4W
Dr. Fox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many serious clinical incidents have taken place since Hammersmith Hospital took over the contract to provide pathology services to West Middlesex Hospital and Hounslow Primary Care Trust. [96718]

Mr. Hutton

There have been 167 serious untoward incidents reported to North West London Strategic Health Authority.

In order to ensure patient safety, the change in service provision in north-west London has been closely monitored. Clinicians have been required to use the serious untoward incident reporting system to highlight any incidents of the system not functioning smoothly. This is part of a culture of reporting potential risks, even where there has been no actual harm to patients. The aim is to identify and manage potential risks and therefore encourage their reporting.