Zero: Eliminating unnecessary deaths in a post-pandemic NHS

Description

Mistakes happen. In most fields the consequences are limited, but in healthcare they can be fatal. Every week in England, there are 150 avoidable deaths.Most tragedies are treated as 'inevitable' when in fact they could be preventedsimply and cheaply if we were better at learning from mistakes. By committing to a profession where the consequences of a mistake can belife or death, people in healthcare are braver than most of us. The problem isthat the system that 'goes after' someone when something goes wrong, and theresult is a blame game that stops learning and allows the same mistake to berepeated, often countless times. Zero is a book about how the NHS can reduce the number of avoidable deathsto zero, and in the process save money, reduce backlogs and improve workingconditions. Delivering the safest, highest quality care in the NHS post-pandemic is our very own 1948 moment.

Jeremy Hunt was elected Conservative MP for South West Surrey in 2005. He was Secretary of State for Health between September 2012 and July 2018, the longest serving Health Secretary in history, and has been Chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee since January 2020. Jeremy Hunt lives in Godalming and London with his wife, son and two daughters.

'A deeply moving personal account from the longest serving Health Secretary about what needs to change in the NHS - I wish I had read it when I started out as a doctor' - Dame Clare Gerada 'A real understanding of the NHS's many problems ... essential reading for everybody involved in health care' - Henry Marsh 'A hugely compelling narrative, intertwining forensic evidence and research with powerful human stories to make the case for radical change and a blueprint for how we might get there' - James Titcombe 'Readable, honest and sometimes unsettling ... a powerful case for transparency and supporting a frontline workforce under huge pressure' - Dame Clare Marx, former President Royal College of Surgeons 'This powerful book is essential reading for everyone who cares about the future of the NHS - even (or especially) those who are sure they'll disagree with its author' - Patricia Hewitt, former Health Secretary 'A thoughtful and thorough analysis exploring why despite best endeavours NHS care can go seriously wrong ... a compelling vision of what the NHS, and every other healthcare system in the world, can do to reduce avoidable harm' - Chris Hopson, Chief Executive NHS Providers 'A timely, salutary and occasionally contrarian intervention with an honesty and humanity that will rightly shape debate on the NHS for years to come' - Simon Stevens, former Chief Executive, NHS England 'A unique combination of policy expertise, compassionate narrative, and respect for safety science to the quest for better patient care ... essential reading for healthcare leaders who truly want to help' - Don Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement 'Highly readable and engaging ... a serious manifesto to improve our most treasured national institution' - Tony Blair 'A very powerful and well-written book, it is also tackling a topic weirdly neglected in healthcare' - Isabel Hardman, The iPaper 'A thoughtful, serious and well-written book that tackles an immensely important subject' - Rachel Clarke, The Guardian 'Approach is humane ... often persuasive' - Charles Moore, The Telegraph 'Good new book examining unnecessary deaths in the NHS' - Charles Moore, The Spectator 'Thoughtful' - Anoosh Chakelian, New Statesman 'Zero is as honest a political book as you're likely to read ... deeply heartening' - Matt Nixson, The Express 'There is much to recommend about Zero ... it's undeniable that he genuinely cares about patients and is committed to moving the dial ... very helpful reading for any hospital manager: lessons can be learnt and lives can be saved' - Adam Kay, The Times 'Well-informed, well-meaning book' - Andrew Gimson, Conservative Home 'A natural storyteller with an eye for the poignant detail ... An impressive and readable account' - Sarah Neville, Financial Times 'I was so hooked that I finished it within 24 hours' - Alexandra Dao, Country & Town House