Human Factors Conference – Thursday 21 November 2019

19 Nov 2019

A conference being run by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow this Thursday will examine human factors and their relevance to mistakes.

The ‘Human Factors Conference’ on 21 November 2019 is a one-day event to highlight the importance of looking after ourselves, interpersonal relationships, flattening hierarchies and how to ensure adoption of a no blame culture.

Dr Richard Hull, the event’s co-event director and College’s Honorary Secretary, explains the importance of human factors in preventing and reducing mistakes.

“Never events are simply that. They should never occur. An audit of never events in Wessex showed that the human factors were implicated in over 80% of cases reported.

“Since the Kegworth Air disaster 30 years ago, where human factors occurred resulting in the death of 47 people, airlines and other high-risk organisations have embraced the relevance of human factors. There has not been a single death due to human error on a UK registered airline in over 3 billion passenger journeys.

“While the NHS environment is very different, we have much to learn to promote safe working in a no blame culture, to ultimately give better and safer health care for our patients. The Human Factors Conference will recognise the relevance of human factors in your day-to-day practice and performance.

“It is important to understand the specific features of errors and the scale of the problem. Workshops on the day will examine work styles and environments aimed at preventing errors. The conference speakers include senior airline pilots, a human factors expert from the National Air Traffic Services and support from the GMC, BMA and defence organisations.

“Errors are everyone’s problem and we need to do the maximum to prevent them.”

You can book a place at the Human Factors Conference through our website. Please note, places are limited.

Category: Wellbeing