PSA responds to publication of the Thirlwall Inquiry report
16 Sep 2026
The Professional Standards Authority extends its deepest sympathies to the families whose babies died or were harmed at the Countess of Chester Hospital, and to all those affected by the tragic events which led to the Inquiry.
The publication of the Inquiry's final report marks an important moment in understanding what happened, and the actions needed to help prevent similar events from occurring in the future. We recognise the considerable efforts of the families who have pursued answers and accountability, and we acknowledge the important work undertaken by Lady Justice Thirlwall and the Inquiry team.
Some of the underlying factors which allowed babies to be harmed for such a long period are unfortunately familiar to anyone who has read reports into other healthcare failings. Addressing those factors therefore requires a coordinated and robust response.
As the body that oversees the regulation and registration of health and social care professionals in the UK, the PSA contributed to the Inquiry's work through written submissions and oral evidence from our Chief Executive, Alan Clamp, and we will reflect carefully on the report's findings and recommendations. We will work with the professional regulators we oversee, as well as wider system partners, to understand the implications for professional regulation, patient safety, organisational culture, whistleblowing, accountability and the protection of the public.
The PSA remains committed to promoting high standards of professional regulation and to working with others across the health and care system towards continuous improvements to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care to patients and service users.
Alan Clamp, PSA Chief Executive, said:
"We extend our sympathies to everyone affected by these terrible events. We welcome the recommendation to move swiftly to implement the barring scheme for NHS managers and are ready to support its development as needed. We will now reflect on the wider recommendations and how the PSA can best support implementation in the interests of accountability, candour and preventing future harm.”
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the editor
- The PSA provided both written and oral evidence to the Inquiry highlighting the role of professional regulation in protecting the public, drawing on our experience overseeing health and care regulators and our work to promote effective regulation, accountability, learning and improvement across the health and care system. We also provided advice on the question of manager regulation and the need to take a risk-based approach.
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA) is the UK’s oversight body for the regulation of people working in health and social care. Our statutory remit, independence and expertise underpin our commitment to the safety of patients and service-users, and to the protection of the public. There are 10 organisations that regulate health professionals in the UK and social workers in England by law. We audit their performance and review their decisions on practitioners’ fitness to practise. We also accredit and set standards for organisations holding registers of health and care practitioners not regulated by law. We collaborate with all of these organisations to improve standards. We share good practice, knowledge and our right-touch regulation expertise.
- We also conduct and promote research on regulation. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally, providing guidance to governments and stakeholders. Through our UK and international consultancy, we share our expertise and broaden our regulatory insights.
- Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.