Health and Social Care Secretary Jeremy Hunt visits Wandsworth Mental Health Trust

Mr Hunt visited SWLSTG to meet more than 100 frontline staff to hear first-hand from staff about their passion for patient safety, as well as continued improvements that been made at the Trust.

Speaking to frontline clinicians at the visit on Friday, May 4, Mr Hunt spoke of the importance of honesty in the NHS, and how a willingness to learn from mistakes can greatly improve patient safety.

He continued to say that he was incredibly proud of the work done by all staff at SWLSTG which includes a culture of learning and transparency.

Chief Executive David Bradley said: “It was a pleasure hosting Jeremy Hunt and hearing his ambitions to ensure that the NHS is recognised as the safest healthcare system in the world. I’m extremely proud of the work that we have done at SWLSTG to improve patient safety but we must never be complacent. We will continue to challenge ourselves to be open, honest and transparent in all that we do.

“The work of mental health staff can be amongst the most challenging in the NHS, and when we don’t get things right, it is our absolute duty to learn and improve for the people who use our services.”

The visit was part of a series of visits the Secretary of State is making to NHS Trusts across the country. During this particular visit, he met with a range of staff including nurses, doctors, Allied Health Professionals and those from non-clinical roles.