Final Report > Chapter 10: Introduction to Concerns > Defining a concern

Defining a concern

4 Raising `concerns' has been stated by the Inquiry from the outset to mean expressions of view that the quality of the padiatric cardiac surgical service was unacceptably poor and that action must be taken. Concerns in this context does not mean expressions of view that the service was capable of improvement but nevertheless acceptable. We regard a practice as unacceptable when reasonably competent practitioners in this specialist area would advise that it exposes the patient to risks beyond those ordinarily to be expected in the time and context. Although our Terms of Reference, by referring to `concerns raised', would appear to restrict us only to considering those circumstances in which a concern was expressed, we regard such a restriction as inappropriate. Thus, where relevant, we also include in the notion of concerns matters which could or should have been raised but were not.