Recommendation BRIS-84: Trusts must ensure CPD resources meet patient needs and professional aspirations
From Bristol Heart Inquiry — Final Report, published 18 July 2001.
Recommendation
Trusts and primary care trusts must take overall responsibility through an agreed plan for their employees’ use of the time allocated to CPD. They must seek to ensure that the resources deployed for CPD contribute towards meeting the needs of the trust and of its patients, as well as meeting the professional aspirations of individual healthcare professionals.
Government response
No government response to this recommendation is on the record yet.
Delivery
DHSC and NHS England say in progress (27 February 2026)
Please see response to Recommendation 82 and 83 (CPD).
Site note: DHSC and NHS England's own account of progress, supplied to the Thirlwall Inquiry in September 2024 and printed in the Inquiry legal team's Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). It is not a finding of the Inquiry. Their reviewed extent of implementation reads “Implemented – Ongoing”. Table row: section 6.2 No. 84, PDF page 109.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (27 February 2026)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said it had made it clear the continuing professional development requirements should be identified on the basis of the individual’s needs, but in the context of the organisation’s needs.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version dated April 2025, published 27 February 2026). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 84, PDF page 109.
Earlier findings (1)
Thirlwall Inquiry legal team (15 May 2024)
The Government agreed with this recommendation.
In its January 2002 response, the Department of Health said it had made it clear continuing professional development requirements should be identified on the basis of the individual’s needs, but in the context of the organisation’s needs.
Site note: The Thirlwall Inquiry legal team's own notes on implementation, from its Review of Implementation of Recommendations from Previous Inquiries into Healthcare Issues (version of 15 May 2024). The review does not colour its Extent of Implementation cell for this recommendation green; it leaves the cell uncoloured where a recommendation was rejected, where evidence of implementation was insufficient, or where steps had been taken but implementation was not yet complete. Table row: section 6.2 No. 84, PDF page 99.
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- DHSC and NHS England
Delivery statement - Thirlwall Inquiry legal team
Finding