BLOG: From Vicki Dawson-John on World Patient Safety Day 2025

As World Patient Safety Day 2025 focuses on ‘patient safety from the start’ Vicki-Dawson-John, Quality and Outcomes Business Partner at the NHS Wales Joint Commissioning Committee (NWJCC), shares her reflections on the important role quality plays in commissioned services…

A single safety incident, in those first hours or days, can have lifelong consequences.

That’s why I’m proud to be part of a profession - and a system - that is constantly striving to make care safer, more equitable, and more responsive to the needs of every newborn and their family.

What Patient Safety Means to Me as a Midwife…

For me, patient safety begins long before the first cry. It starts in the conversations I have with expectant parents - helping them understand what to expect, identifying risks, and preparing for a safe birth. During labour, I’m there to monitor, to reassure, and to act quickly if something isn’t right.

After birth, my role shifts but doesn’t diminish. I carry out neonatal assessments, support breastfeeding, encourage skin-to-skin bonding, and educate families on safe sleep, hygiene, and cord care. I’ve learned that sometimes, it’s the smallest observations - a change in colour, a subtle sign of distress - that can make the biggest difference.

But beyond the clinical, there’s the emotional. I see the fear, the joy, the exhaustion. I offer reassurance, continuity, and advocacy. I help parents find their confidence. That, too, is safety.

Building Strong Foundations for Every Child Through Commissioned Services…

Every baby deserves the best start in life. That means early intervention, evidence-based care, and a commitment to reducing health inequalities. It means listening to families, respecting their choices, and ensuring that care is inclusive and culturally sensitive.

I’ve seen how following best practice not only prevents harm but builds trust. And I’ve seen how gaps in care - especially for those who face barriers - can have lasting effects. That’s why I believe so strongly in holistic, family-centred care.

The Power of Collaboration…

No midwife works alone. Patient safety is a shared responsibility. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible colleagues - doctors, neonatal nurses, ambulance crews, health visitors - who all bring their expertise to the table.

Clear communication, shared pathways, and mutual respect are what make seamless care possible. When we work together, we catch complications earlier, respond faster, and support families better.

In my current role at the NWJCC, I’m in a privileged position to work collaboratively with colleagues right across Wales, and the Maternity and Neonatal Safety Support Programme (MatNeoSSP) has been a game-changer for patients in Wales. It’s not just a policy - it’s a movement.

Through its discovery and diagnostic phases, it’s helped us understand where we are and where we need to go. It’s looked at leadership, culture, workforce, outcomes, and even pre-hospital care.

Champions have been embedded in every Health Board and in the Welsh Ambulance Service to drive local improvements. I’ve seen the impact first-hand.  There are:

• Better tools and guidelines 

• Improvements in neonatal thermoregulation 

• A stronger culture of learning and reporting 

• Focus on digital inclusion and reducing inequalities 

• Recognition for the hard work of frontline staff

Of course, there’s still work to do. We need to ensure universal implementation, measure long-term outcomes, and invest in sustainability - especially in workforce, training, and equipment. But the foundation is strong.

A Personal Reflection…

All of this reminds me, on this World Patient Safety Day, of why I chose this path. Every baby I’ve helped bring into the world, every family I’ve supported, every challenge I’ve worked collaboratively with colleagues across the system - it’s all part of a bigger picture.

Patient safety isn’t just a goal. It’s a promise. A promise to every child, every parent, and every colleague that we will do everything we can to make care safer, kinder, and more effective.

Because every child deserves the best start in life and as professionals we have an obligation to foster that goal and ensure every contact matters.