Each year, World Patient Safety Day on 17 September and Patient Safety Week serve as powerful reminders of the importance of safe, high-quality care across the UK’s healthcare system. This year, the theme “Safe care for every newborn and every child” has placed a spotlight on the youngest and most vulnerable patients, urging healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities to act decisively to prevent avoidable harm.

World Patient Safety Day 2025: “Patient Safety from the Start”

Led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), this year’s campaign focuses on children from birth to nine years old, emphasising that “children aren’t small adults” and require care tailored to their age, development, and medical needs. The slogan “Patient safety from the start” captures the urgency of early intervention and consistent safety practices throughout childhood.

In the UK, hospitals, clinics, and community health organisations have joined the global movement by hosting webinars, educational sessions, and advocacy events. Iconic landmarks across the country—including hospitals and civic buildings—were illuminated in orange, the campaign’s signature colour, to symbolise a shared commitment to safer care.

Key messages from the campaign include:

•    Individualised care: Adjusting treatment based on a child’s age, weight, and condition.
•    Preventing harm: Addressing common risks such as medication errors, infections, and diagnostic delays.
•    Empowering families: Encouraging active participation from parents and caregivers in care decisions

A Call to Action

Patient Safety Day and Week 2025 have made it clear: safety must be a core value, not an afterthought. Whether through policy, practice, or public engagement, the UK’s healthcare community is being called to:

•    Listen to patients and families
•    Invest in staff training and wellbeing
•    Implement evidence-based safety systems
•    Promote transparency and learning from errors

The Importance of Safety in CQC Inspections of GP Practices

Safety is a cornerstone of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections of GP practices in England. As part of its regulatory framework, the CQC assesses whether services are “safe” by examining how well practices protect patients from avoidable harm and abuse. This includes evaluating systems for managing medicines, infection control, safeguarding, and incident reporting.

Under the CQC’s single assessment framework, safety is one of five key questions used to rate services, alongside effectiveness, caring, responsiveness, and leadership. Inspectors look for evidence of robust clinical governance, staff training, and risk management. Practices must demonstrate that they learn from adverse events and implement changes to prevent recurrence.

The CQC’s shift to a risk-based, ongoing assessment model means safety is monitored continuously—not just during scheduled inspections. This includes reviewing public health data, patient feedback, and internal audits. Practices are expected to proactively identify risks and maintain high standards between inspections.

Ultimately, safety in CQC inspections ensures that GP practices deliver care that is not only clinically effective but also protects patients from harm. It reinforces public trust and supports continuous improvement across primary care.

Boost Safety and Check CQC Inspection Readiness with Thornfields

We run a variety of workshops for individuals and organisations which can help with patient safety, health and safety, and being ready for a CQC inspection. Why not try these?

•    Patient Safety in Health Care
•    Health and Safety for Health Care Staff
•    CQC Readiness Appraisal