Regulation and inspection are often increased after a crisis

By Prof Sue Bailey President, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Scandals lead to inquiries and to recommendations – leading to a focus on filling in forms and ticking the right boxes.

But in this week’s Scrubbing Up Sue Bailey, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, says it’s time to listen to those receiving the care.

Why do care standards break down? We’ve all read heartbreaking stories of elderly people with dementia or patients with learning difficulties being neglected, mistreated and abused.

When things go wrong, inquiries are set up, reports are published and lessons learnt.

Think Winterbourne View; Mid-Staffordshire; childcare in Rochdale, or the Carlisle Report.

At heart, the recommendations boil down to improving communication, listening, learning and acting. It means taking notice of what patients and service users have to say.

Blame culture

But when trying to deliver the right kind of care, the health service often addresses regulation, standard setting, inspection and monitoring.