We investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level.
The first in a series of investigations exploring patient safety events in NHS organisations, to understand why patients may not receive medications as planned. We explore the systems in place to support staff to recognise, prescribe and administer time critical medications.
This investigation looks at maintaining a patient's healthcare throughout the prison system regardless of their location. 'Did not attend' rates for prison outpatient appointments during 2024 were 43% for males and 48% for females, compared to 26% in the general population.
This investigation explores what drives the need for out of area placements, and the impact on patients and their families when they are placed far from their homes. Part of our Secretary of State directed mental health investigations.
We aim to be the global leader in professional, high quality healthcare safety investigations. We investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level. Our investigations do not find blame or liability with individuals or organisations. Information shared with us is confidential and protected by law.
We are a fully independent arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care.
We can investigate patient safety concerns that occur in England during the provision of healthcare services, and that have or may have implications for the safety of patients.
Our investigations can consider healthcare provided in the NHS and the independent sector. Where an investigation relates to an incident that did not occur in the NHS, we must consider whether NHS systems and practices could be improved because of our investigation.
We can also be directed to investigate a patient safety concern by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
HSSIB’s CPD accredited education programme is delivered by healthcare safety investigation experts.
We offer a range of courses to support development and help embed professional safety investigations across the NHS. For NHS staff in England, courses run online and are free of charge to attend.
Commercial courses are available to support those outside of the NHS in England.
Our flagship course – A systems approach to investigating and learning from patient safety incidents – launches new cohorts throughout the year. It's free of charge and open to all in healthcare, including those outside of the NHS.
We would like to hear from everyone, including patients, families and NHS and healthcare staff.
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