Simplify External Regulation
Regulation:
That external regulation of safety in healthcare be simplified. As a first step towards this, there should be a UK wide review by the four health departments of the systems of external regulation, with the aim of addressing all the points made earlier in this Report and in other reports since 2000.
- The Government stated in December 2024 that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asked Dr Penny Dash to conduct a review of patient safety in the health and care landscape, with findings published on 15 October 2024 (Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry, Cabinet Office, December 2024).
- A second review by Dr Dash examining patient safety and quality across six health bodies was underway, with conclusions due early 2025, to inform the 10-year health plan and NHS Quality Strategy (Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry, Cabinet Office, December 2024).
- No published four-nation review of external regulation systems as recommended has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedUK Government
In relation to recommendation 4c) i. the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asked Dr Penny Dash to conduct a review of patient safety in the health and care landscape. The focus of the review by Dr Dash is on six core bodies: Care and Quality Commission (CQC), The National Guardian’s Office, Healthwatch England (HWE) and the Local Healthwatch network, Health Services Safety Investigation Body, Patient Safety Commissioner and NHS Resolution, and how they work with the wider landscape. The Secretary of State asked Dr Dash to make recommendations on whether greater value could be achieved through a different approach or delivery model. The review will be published shortly. All findings will inform the UK Government’s 10-year health plan, as well as work to develop an NHS Quality Strategy, to transform the NHS and social care system and make it fit for the future.
Scottish Government
For recommendation 4c) i., the Scottish Government is engaging on work being taken forward by the UK-wide Inter-Ministerial Group, particularly on proposals for a UK Patient Safety Group.
Scottish Government officials will continue to support this work, providing insight into the current landscape in Scotland and how this aligns with work across the other nations, facilitating effective working, and looking for opportunities for improvement and alignment.
Northern Ireland Executive
Further consideration and wider engagement will be required to fully assess the local regulatory picture and how best to give effect to Recommendation 4c).
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
As of 13 January 2026: 3,721 people asked to start claims, 3,546 begun process, 3,074 received offers totalling £2.47bn, 2,861 paid totalling £1.89bn. Third compensation regulations in force 31 December 2025.
View detailed findings
IBCA exceeded initial expectations. Three sets of regulations now in force covering infected persons, affected persons, and supplementary routes. £11.8bn committed in October 2024 Budget. Independent review found "very creditable progress."