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'This is a problem of leadership'

Dr. Malcolm Couch

Couch addresses Noble's communication concerns

The CEO of the Department of Health and Social Care has conceded there are indeed 'systemic problems' at Noble's Hospital.

Dr Malcolm Couch was questioned by the Public Accounts Committee this week about 'communication channels' - both between staff, and from staff to patients.

Two recent reports - one looking at operating theatres and one about endoscopy services - both highlight concerns about the way patient feedback is processed.

Jane Poole-Wilson MLC said the reports suggest 'communication structures do not work', that there's a 'lack of faith in escalation processes', a 'lack of quality assurance processes', and 'missed opportunities to establish risk to patients'.

Dr Couch effectively says it's a question of managerial diseconomies of scale:

You can listen to the oral evidence session in full here.

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