Ann M K Bisbrown-Lee
My interest in patient safety began as a 17 year old, when I came off the trolley on the way back from theatre following surgery to my face. The staff caring for me were not attending to my needs and I was unprotected. This incident resulted in the surgery having to be repeated, and the incident having been covered up. Other incidents and episodes have occurred both to me and family members.
I entered a healthcare profession, later teaching healthcare professionals. Having taken early retirement I pursued voluntary work and as a member/chair of my local PPI Forum, became more and more interested in the protocols and activity in the field of Quality of care and patient safety and patients concerns and felt that the patient / carers voice should be heard. I currently am a member (as the patient / public representative) of the Governance Group, Health and Quality, and Patient Safety Committees of one of my local trusts and act as a quality outcomes framework lay assessed for GPs and Pharmacies. Speaking up and for those who can and are unable to speak for themselves is vital work and lessons must and need to be learnt and shared in a wider forum.