Double first with honours for patient safety

01 July 2010

IOSH member Brian Toft, Professor of Patient Safety at Coventry University, has been awarded an OBE for services to healthcare in the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Professor Toft’s appointment at the university was a world first in this field and now it’s the first time an OBE has been awarded for work around patient safety.

“I was absolutely surprised and delighted to be recognised in such a public way, said Professor Toft.

“As far as I’m aware, it’s the first time an honour has been made to recognise the important contribution towards safety and life and it’s a great honour.”

Professor Toft has been passionate about patient safety ever since he chaired an investigation into the death of a young NHS patient in 2001.

“It was the first time a non-physician had chaired an investigation since 1948, and it’s that experience that inspired me to continue in the research of patient safety, and I will continue until I can continue no more,” he said.

“My work in patient safety is absolutely worthwhile, it saves lives and protects those who work in health care and prevents careers being ruined.”

As well as being an IOSH member, Professor Toft is also a member of the Joint Commission International’s, European Regional Advisory Council to the World Health Organisation on healthcare and patient safety, a member of the UK Intrathecal Chemotherapy Advisory Group, the Chairman of the External Reference Group on Safer Neuraxial Devices and sits on the Safety Committee of the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Professor Todd added, “I hope the OBE is a sign from the government that the work we do is valued and patient safety is seen as an important part of health care in general.”