27.06.14
Jimmy Savile NHS abuse reports published
Jimmy Savile used his celebrity status to “exploit and abuse” vulnerable patients at 28 hospital trusts, according to the investigation into his activities.
Kate Lampard QC was asked by the secretary of state to provide independent assurance on behalf of the Department of Health (DH). Her report gives a clear picture of the abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile during his involvement with hospitals up and down the country.
Lampard will publish her lessons to be learnt by the NHS from the Savile investigations later this year. It will draw on the findings and conclusions of the NHS investigations with the intention of strengthening patient care and safety.
Una O’Brien, permanent secretary of the DH, said: “On behalf of the previous Department of Health and Social Security, and Department of Health, we are deeply sorry that inadequate processes in 1988 enabled Jimmy Savile to occupy a position of authority that he used to abuse his victims at Broadmoor Hospital.
“The Department of Health accepts that the procedures in 1988 were wholly inadequate for checking whether Jimmy Savile was a suitable person to be given a managerial role.
“While much has changed in the intervening years we will leave no stone unturned to make sure such appalling actions can never be repeated; our thoughts today are with the people who suffered and continue to suffer from these terrible crimes.”
In a joint statement, Simon Stevens (chief executive of NHS England), David Flory (chief executive at the NHS Trust Development Authority), David Behan (chief executive of the Care Quality Commission) and David Bennett (chief executive at Monitor) said the abusive behaviour of Jimmy Savile on NHS premises described in the report is “truly awful”.
They added that patients and the public have a right to expect that whenever they are under the care of the NHS they are safe and protected.
“Whilst there has been much progress in safeguarding and safety in the NHS, and although Kate Lampard’s report into the wider lessons that must be learned is not expected until later this year, all organisations must ensure they check the recommendations of these reports against current practice and take any necessary action,” they said.
In relation to the report of the investigation into matters relating to Savile at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Julian Hartley, chief executive of the trust said he offered his sincere apology to each and every one of Savile’s victims.
He did, however, highlight that the trust has much improved security in and around its patient areas including locks on wards, card access systems and a large network of CCTV cameras in place.
It also promotes a culture of openness and patient safety. VIPs and celebrities do not have open access in and around the hospitals and instead are registered at every visit and accompanied at all times.
Lampard added: “I conclude that the NHS investigations completed to date into matters relating to Jimmy Savile have been conducted in an appropriate and robust fashion and that the resulting reports should be published.”
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(Photo: Chris Ison/PA Wire)