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Departments should have a clear and explicit strategy for developing a strong and supportive patient-centred safety culture. The departments strategy should emphasise using a systems based approach where safety systems are put in place that usually prevent accidents from occurring and develop systems that positively improve patient and staff safety.

Communication within organisations should promote an inclusive culture by promoting two-way communication, promoting the flattening of hierarchies across the organisation and ensuring that all staff feel listened to and valued. An organisation with such a culture uses the ideas of staff to shape the development of the organisation.

The organisational culture should seek to empower health professionals to implement patients’ preferences, informed by discussions around risk and benefit.¹ Healthcare should be run collaboratively, with ownership and decision making in the hands of professionals and patients.²

Staff should recognise and act upon their duty of candour. They should ensure that patients are put first, and that any potentially harmed patients receive ongoing care and support as required.

A culture of collaboration should be encouraged by ensuring opportunities for clear, open, respectful and non-judgemental communication within the department where staff, irrespective of seniority or role, feel free to comment and challenge to improve care and reduce errors.³

The department should create a culture that promotes high quality care, quality improvement and improved outcomes.

The anaesthetic team should be empowered to shape their working environment to enhance safety and quality of care.  

The department should establish a culture of collaboration with other specialties that promotes a proactive and planned approach to service development.

The department should establish and support a culture that promotes the health and wellbeing of staff members.