Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) is the independent charity which promotes better patient safety and justice for people who have been affected by a medical accident. A 'medical accident' is where avoidable harm has been caused as a result of treatment or failure to treat appropriately. AvMA believes that whatever the cause of a medical accident, the people affected deserve explanations, support, and where appropriate, compensation. Furthermore, we all deserve to know that the necessary steps will be taken to prevent similar accidents being repeated.
We provide free and confidential advice and support to people affected by medical accidents, via our helpline and casework service and can refer to our panel of specialist clinical negligence solicitors or other sources of support where appropriate. HELPLINE: 0845 123 2352 (Mon - Fri 10am - 5pm). Please see our Get Help and Advice section within this site for information about our helpline.
LATEST NEWS
30/07/10 SIR LIAM DONALDSON STARS IN AvMA VIDEO
Sir Liam Donaldson [until recently the Chief Medical Officer and now Chair of the National Patient Safety Agency, as well as an international leader in the field of patient safety] is one of the contributors to a new promotional video about AvMA and its work. As well as Sir Liam, there are short interviews with AvMA clients, health professionals and James Badenoch QC, a leading Barrister in the field of clinical negligence and medical law. The video is just 10 minutes long. To view the video click here
29/07/10 PATIENT INVOLVEMENT DRAMATICALLY CUT
AvMA has discovered, through a Freedom of Information Act request, that the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has dramatically cut back on patient involvement in recent years. When the NPSA was set up it was heralded as an example of best practice for patient involvement. It appointed a Director to its board with this specific remit (a post which has since been left vacant). However the figures revealed as a result of AvMA's inquiries, show that between 2007 and 2010 the budget for patient involvement more than halved from £252,504 to £116,868.
23/07/10 NPSA TO BE ABOLISHED
AvMA is seeking assurances that patient safety work will not be diluted, following the Government announcement that the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) will be abolished as part of its cull of quangos announced this week. Further information on the cuts to quangos (‘arms length bodies') can be found here. Whilst the NPSA is not perfect - it was not given any teeth to back up its guidance for example, and it has dramatically cut back on patient involvement in recent years - its strength is that it focuses purely on patient safety. It will take more than just words to ensure that patient safety takes precedence when its functions transfer to the NHS Commissioning Board, which will have many other things on its agenda.
