The Francis Inquiry report
The report of the full public inquiry into the failings at the Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust was published on 6 February 2013. The inquiry, led by Robert Francis QC, looks at the role of commissioning, supervisory and regulatory bodies and why serious problems at the trust were not identified and acted on sooner.
Our work
What are we doing around the Francis report?
The Francis Inquiry report event
You can watch highlights from this event held at The King's Fund on 27 February 2013.
Our response to the findings
We welcome Robert Francis's comprehensive report which rightly looks across the whole system. However even if all 290 recommendations were implemented now, the fundamental shift in culture can only be achieved if patient care is put top of the agenda for boards and is the first responsibility of professionals working in the NHS.
- Read our full response to the final report
- Read our statement on the government's response to the Francis Inquiry report
- Anna Dixon: building a culture of compassionate care
Creating the right culture of care
What is the right culture of care? And how can organisations take steps to improve theirs?
Drawing on evidence, our experience of working with NHS boards and teams of NHS staff, and our work with staff and patients in the Point of Care programme, we have identified a number of factors that characterise a good culture of care.
Our views on the Francis Inquiry
A number of experts from The King's Fund have considered the issues surrounding this inquiry, what it will mean for the NHS, and what needs to change in the health system to protect patients.
- Katy Steward: what makes a board effective
- Joanna Goodrich: the quality of care for older frail people
- Bev Fitzsimons: improving the quality of care for patients
- Anna Dixon on the role of Monitor
Follow the debate on Storify
We will be collating the key points and comments on the Francis Inquiry report as it is published.
Our views on the Francis report
What will the Francis report mean for the NHS?
A number of experts from The King's Fund have considered what it will mean for the NHS, and what needs to change in the health system to protect patients.
Katy Steward on what makes a board effective
In the fourth of our series of articles ahead of the Francis Inquiry report, Katy Steward, Assistant Director, Leadership, considers the importance and impact of good board leadership.
Read Katy's article on effective boards
Joanna Goodrich on improving the quality of care for frail older people
Joanna Goodrich looks at the changes that can be made at all levels to significantly improve older people’s experience of care.
Read Joanna's article on quality of care
Bev Fitzsimons on improving the quality of care for patients
The Francis report is likely to provide a salutary reminder of the impact on patients when staff either don't or can't put patients at the heart of what they do.
Read Bev's article on quality of care
Anna Dixon on the role of the regulator
Dr Anna Dixon, Director of Policy at The King's Fund, discusses the role of the regulator and looks at how care quality can be improved.
Background
What does the Francis Inquiry report consider?
Robert Francis has considered a range of issues in his final report including:
- how to embed the patient voice throughout the system
- how to engage health care staff generally in the leadership and management of their organisations
- the standards set for the safety and quality of care, and who should have the responsibility for setting and enforcing them
- the role of foundation trust governors and members, and other local public, patient and staff representatives
- the collection, use and sharing of information and data.
