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Campaigns and policy work

The support we provide to individuals will always be at the heart of what we do. But for us to help the public at scale, we also use our experience and expertise to influence policy and practice across the UK.

Our priorities

Our campaigning priorities — to reduce medical accidents, improve patient safety, and increase access to justice — are informed by the daily contact we have with people whose lives have been devastated by avoidable harm in healthcare.

How we operate

Influencing policy and practice

We use our expertise to reduce accidents and improve patient safety. By shaping healthcare policy, we’re creating systemic changes to protect all patients in the UK, now and in the future.

Protecting patients’ rights

Our work protects the fundamental rights of patients within the justice system and empowers them to understand when and how they can and should speak up about their own healthcare.

Independent patient advocacy

As a non-political voice, we work with the NHS, government, health professionals, lawyers, and fellow patient organisations while remaining independent. We’re not afraid to disagree and always make sure patient perspective is heard.

Campaign and policy themes

  • Patient safety

    Avma works hard to ensure that patient safety is prioritised by healthcare professionals and bodies across the UK.

  • Access to justice

    When something goes wrong in a clinical setting, patients and their families need to be treated fairly and get the support they need.

  • Duty of candour

    How health and social care organisations should be open and honest with patients about incidents which may have caused harm.

  • HEARD by Avma

    Join us in building our new pilot programme to help people better understand their rights in healthcare, navigate healthcare systems with confidence, and find support when they’ve been harmed.

The change we’re making

Last year we helped thousands of people impacted by avoidable medical harm. Find out how we’re empowering and supporting patients, making healthcare safer, preventing harm and promoting and influencing best practice in advocating for harmed patients.

Find out about our impact

Support our work

As an independent charity we rely entirely on donations. Your support means we can keep helping individuals affected by avoidable medical harm and advocating for better patient safety. Thank you for helping us to help more patients.

How you can support us