New reporting rules will not stop blunders
After a series of incidents, the Hospital Authority has made a decision on the reporting of errors ('Public hospitals must now report blunders within 24 hours after string of mishaps', September 4).
There is no doubt that the new reporting regulations will improve transparency in our public hospitals. It is very important that when an incident happens, remedial action is taken at an early stage.
This can reduce any further risk to patients. I also agree that staff should be made fully aware of the guidelines and possible penalties if errors are made.
Nevertheless, I do not think it is good enough just to have a new reporting system.
There must be an improved training regime for those members of staff who deal directly with patients.
Hopefully this could prevent further errors, because once a mistake has been made it creates a negative impact. In other words, patients can be affected, not just physically, but also mentally.
