The United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, delivered a public policy speech at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle where he announced new patient-safety initiatives for the National Health Service (NHS) of England. 

According to an article on the News Medical website, his proposals build upon lessons learned at Virginia Mason.

"Patient safety is our No. 1 priority," said Virginia Mason Chairman and CEO Gary S. Kaplan, MD. "We're honored that Mr. Hunt is advancing changes in England's health system based in part on the value he sees in our commitment and dedication to always putting patients first."

In England, the government is working to re-establish public confidence in the nation's health system following catastrophic safety and quality failures that sparked an investigation and the 2013 Francis Inquiry Report, the article said.

In 2002, Virginia Mason became the first health care organization in the United States to apply principles of the Toyota Production System to eliminate waste, improve quality and safety, and lower cost. 

Read the article.