The Learn Not Blame Campaign, developed by The Doctors’ Association UK, was developed as a response to the anger and outrage felt in the medical profession following the January 2018 High Court decision in Bawa-Garba vs GMC, where the High Court found in favour of the GMC.

The Learn Not Blame Campaign argues for a just culture in the NHS, where each individual – patient, family member or staff – is valued and treated with respect, kindness and fairness. The campaign aims to empower individual doctors to be part of a transformational change process working towards this. The campaign encourages individuals to commit to action within their own sphere of influence, and join together as a movement to put pressure on NHS leadership.

The Learn Not Blame Campaign was launched at an event in Parliament, hosted by Dr Philippa Whitford MP and attended by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP. The full event can be watched at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C4oN_Uv29w.

The Learn Not Blame Campaign has seen significant successes, including featuring in the BMJ and mainstream national media; distributing campaign materials to individual doctors and Trusts; and maintaining a social media presence through a 10,000 strong Facebook group. The campaign was endorsed by Prof Don Berwick of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in a video message (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGbBg4uxffc).

A key challenge in developing this campaign has been to articulate – and advocate – the need for accountability of NHS organisations, including individuals working within them, after harm, within a just culture. Key to addressing this was engagement at all stages with those who have experienced avoidable harm, and ensuring that the patient/family voice is heard at all our events and throughout our campaign.

The Learn Not Blame Campaign represents what can be achieved by ordinary doctors, working with patients and families, who want to see a better NHS.