Final Report > Recommendations > The structure of the Recommendations

The structure of the Recommendations

• The story of Bristol was about children. There are a number of issues particular to the provision of acute healthcare services for children which demand special attention. As a consequence, we make a series of Recommendations which focus specifically on healthcare services for children.
• We also include Recommendations addressed to the care and treatment of children with congenital heart disease, including paediatric cardiac surgery.
• Because the focus of the Inquiry was on services provided within the acute hospital sector of the NHS, our Recommendations are addressed principally to that sector. Throughout we use the word `trust' to refer to an NHS acute hospital or healthcare trust. We do not intend to refer to any other type of trust. Whenever we wish also to include primary care trusts we specifically say so.
• Throughout the Recommendations we use the term patients. In the case of young children and those otherwise unable to decide for themselves this should be taken to include parents and carers.
• Perhaps the most significant change we call for is one which does not attract a specific Recommendation. This is the change which is needed in the culture of the NHS. We see changes to that culture as being a product of the Recommendations as a whole. If the Recommendations are implemented, changes in the culture will follow.
• To reflect the patient's journey, the Recommendations are divided into categories as follows:
• respect and honesty;
• a Health Service which is well led;
• competent healthcare professionals;
• the safety of care;
• care of an appropriate standard;
• public involvement through empowerment; and
• the care of children.