Education programme review

We are starting a process aimed at helping us to develop a new direction for our education programme. We want to gather perspectives from a range of stakeholders to shape the final outcome.

Why we're doing this

Since we became a fully independent arm’s length body in October 2023, we have delivered patient safety investigation education to nearly 40,000 people across the NHS and beyond. The education programme operates alongside our core investigation work. It developed in response to system demand and has been delivered by a dedicated team within the organisation.

The responsive nature of our education courses is a strength. However, as with all of the work we do, we must constantly monitor progress and impact. We have reached a point where we need to be more strategic in determining the future role the education programme has at HSSIB. This is also key in helping us to deliver our overarching organisational strategy.

The review of the education programme will look to bring clarity in three areas:

• Where we can increase our distinctive contribution to patient safety.
• What are the opportunities to improve education’s connection and alignment with our statutory investigation function.
• What resource and capacity do we have to continue to sustainably deliver an effective education programme.

Whatever new direction we establish, it will be based on an honest assessment of where HSSIB can make the greatest contribution to patient safety within our resources, working with our partners and stakeholders.

How we’re engaging

Between November 2025 and January 2026, we're engaging with key groups to get their perspectives and input on the future direction.

We're using an online survey, facilitated workshops and targeted conversations to gather views which will feed into the final decision making process by our Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Board.

We have developed a new purpose statement for our education work and identified four strategic options that could help us to achieve this. To ensure we choose the most effective approach, we will be seeking feedback both from within HSSIB and from external stakeholders. Those insights will help us determine which option best supports the delivery of our purpose.

We're particularly keen to hear from:

• People who have participated in HSSIB education courses – this will enable us to hear direct experience of its value and views on what impact it has or has not had on improving safety investigations and learning within providers.
• Stakeholders and colleagues across the healthcare system – this will enable us to understand system needs, avoid duplication, and understand more about expectations and capacity in relation to the education programme.

What happens next

Your input will inform recommendations to our SLT and Board in early 2026. We are keen to share openly the range of views and insights we receive, and this may include more difficult messages or conflicting views. The final strategy will be presented to the Board in February 2026 and any changes that follow this will be communicated and then implemented over an appropriate timeframe.