Putting patient safety in the spotlight
Supporting the Patient Safety Commissioner with a high-profile campaign for redress for patients
The challenge
For too long, patients harmed by pelvic mesh and the medicine valproate have been waiting for a Government response to a report by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Professor Henrietta Hughes. The Hughes Report, published in February 2024, followed earlier advice in October 2023, examining the harm caused to an estimated 10,000 women, and their families, affected by these interventions. On the second anniversary of her report publication, the Patient Safety Commissioner wanted support to significantly raise the profile of her enquiry to the Government about their intended response. As Professor Hughes said: “Patients’ lives don’t grind to a halt while Government departments debate jurisdiction and timelines.”
The strategy
The Patient Safety Commissioner had previously spent time lobbying Government ministers, writing to and meeting them, asking for an update on the steps taken by ministers and officials to respond to the report and its ten recommendations on redress. Despite receiving some acknowledgements during this time, no commitment to action had been obtained. In February 2026, Professor Hughes took the call for action to Number 10 Downing Street, supported by our public relations campaign.
Approach
A carefully planned media strategy was developed and delivered which achieved media coverage across national broadsheets, broadcast and healthcare journals. The strategy aimed to highlight the need for the Government to agree a concrete timeline for both financial and non-financial redress. In support, we developed social media content, articulating a clear message around a complex issue. We stayed in constant touch with the Patient Safety Commissioner as responses began to come through from the corridors of power, updating the statements accordingly.
Alongside our targeted public relations activity on marking the report anniversary, we supported the Patient Safety Commissioner with complementary work on a brand re-fresh of the corporate presentation slides, identification of events and speaking opportunities, and the development of web and social media content, including Canva assets, to help maintain the profile of the PSC office.
Impact
Our media work around the Hughes Report second anniversary delivered significant cut-through – achieving coverage across the Sunday Times, ITV, Guardian, BMJ and Pharmaceutical Journal, reaching an estimated 3.5 million people. In support, two posts by the Commissioner on LinkedIn gained 9,000 impressions, 190 likes/reactions, 11 comments and 24 reposts. The campaign successfully positioned the Commissioner’s call for concrete Government action on redress.
“The Blue Lozenge team all worked very hard in support of my call for redress, clarifying and amplifying the message. I am hopeful that this oxygen of publicity will at some point very soon help achieve the response we need and the implementation of all the report’s vital recommendations. As I said within my statement, I will not stop holding Government to account until this is resolved for the patients and families harmed.” – Professor Henrietta Hughes, Patient Safety Commissioner
If you need support with public relations and campaign communications management, contact us at hello@bluelozenge.co.uk
