John Tansley: Rethinking Patient Safety in Human World

In this episode of Only Human After All, hosts James Thomas and Andrea Clegg sit down with John Tansley, the Clinical Director for Patient Safety—a man on a mission to transform how hospitals approach safety. John shares his journey from anaesthetist to patient safety specialist, revealing how his passion for systems thinking and problem-solving led him to step away from direct clinical care and into a role that reshapes how hospitals learn and improve.

He challenges the old blame culture and champions a more systemic, forward-thinking approach. With candid reflections on the emotional shifts of leaving frontline medicine, John highlights the profound impact of fostering a just culture—one where learning from successes is just as valuable as examining mistakes. 

At its heart, this episode is a reminder that healthcare is built on human effort—imperfect, fallible, and deeply committed. John explores why true patient safety isn’t about eliminating error entirely but about creating an environment where people can acknowledge mistakes, learn from them, and ultimately provide safer, better care.