Department of Health Framework for Learning and Improvement from Patient Safety Incidents Consultation Questionnaire

Overview

Recommendations arising from a number of Inquiries and Reviews have contributed to a clear and strong evidence base underpinning the need to redesign the current approach to learning following Serious Adverse Incidents (SAIs). These include the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) review of Systems and Processes for Learning from Serious Adverse Incidents (SAIs), and relevant recommendations from the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia-related Deaths report (IHRD) and the Independent Neurology Inquiry (INI).

It is clear from the findings of these Inquiries and Reviews that our current approach to investigating SAI’s has become too process driven and the engagement and support of All those Affected by SAIs is not always optimal. Also, the time taken to complete investigations is too long, it lacks flexibility, is resource intensive and there is sometimes limited evidence of improvement in care.

In developing this consultation and draft proposals, the Department of Health has collaborated and extensively engaged with a number of key stakeholders; this includes those with lived experience of the extant SAI procedure, relevant professional officers, HSC Trusts, other nations and, other relevant bodies from across the HSC sector in Northern Ireland. Through positive engagement, the Department of Health has listened to, recorded and considered the views of stakeholders and has set out the draft proposals.

Copies of the draft proposals are available on the Department of Health website at: Framework for Learning and Improvement from Patient Safety Incidents Consultation | Department of Health. 

Why your views matter

This consultation will play a key role in the development of a new Framework for Learning and Improvement from Patient Safety Incidents and its supporting guidance. The Department of Health is keen to hear from you so that we can take account of any comments, inputs and views that will help to further refine and develop the proposals.