Introduction

Welcome back to first do no harm, we continue into 'The report of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review' which reviewed two medicines and a medical device; medical mesh, sodium valproate and primodos. These three medical treatments were investigated by Baroness Cumberledge and her team across a two year period. They heard the experiences of women harmed and of babies damaged by medical devices and medicines.

This independent review came about due to campaigns by women who suffered injury and harm from medical mesh, women whose babies suffered harms as a result of medicines side effects. The review unearthed many issues named 'themes' and with each theme various recommendations were provided; to date the current health minister, Matthew Hancock, has had various actions taken however he has rejected the recommendation of redress.

As we go into this next session of learning, simply through a verbatim reading, we look at further themes, and recommendations and interwoven are the voices of the victims of medical harms. Note that the Baroness emphasised this report was not a blame game, but a matter of learning, making changes and addressing the suffering of those involved.

As we move through this learning consider what we each take away and onboard into personal professional practice in the care of patients whom we are responsible for. Let us be moved to 'Do no harm...'

This course is a continuation and provided as is so as to be 'fee free', vital information for all people - internationally. This course is provided in short recorded segments, a verbatim reading so you can click play and listen along, or if your first language is not English will support you reading the report as you listen, and for those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

I hope this course is enjoyable to you, and that you find the information as invaluable as I have... let's dive in. In this course we continue our journey of reading the Independent medicines and medical devices review report, the report that was published by Baroness Cumberledge in July 2020 and Chapter 4 Sodium Valproate.