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A female healthcare professional with a stethoscope around her neck holds the hand of an older man laying in a hospital bed.
Blog

Safety and quality in healthcare: why the distinction is important

14 May 2026

In this blog, Ted Baker discusses a new paper by HSSIB colleagues and highlights the call for a fundamental rethink of how the NHS views and prioritises patient safety.
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News

What the King’s Speech means for HSSIB

13 May 2026

The King’s Speech has today set out the Government’s legislative agenda, including plans to bring forward legislation on the future of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) and the w…
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Silhouette of a man sitting on the edge of a bed, facing away towards a large, bright window.
Blog

Sharing HSSIB learning on mental health and patient safety

13 May 2026

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Philippa Styles (Director of Investigations at HSSIB) shares learning from our investigations, highlighting how a system-focused approach to safety in mental heal…
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Silhouette of a man sitting on the edge of a bed, facing away towards a large, bright window.
Blog

Sharing HSSIB learning on mental health and patient safety

13 May 2026

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Philippa Styles (Director of Investigations at HSSIB) shares learning from our investigations, highlighting how a system-focused approach to safety in mental heal…
Read the full article
Young woman wearing a baggy long sleeve jumper meets with her doctor.
News

Modelling PSIRF investigations in community mental health services

23 April 2026

We have published a new investigation demonstrating how mental health patient safety incidents can be examined under the NHS Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), using a case from comm…
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An image of a hospital waiting room with three empty seats and one seat occupied.
News

Legal gap leaves people in mental health crisis at risk in emergency departments

9 April 2026

Our latest report says that a significant legal gap puts patients in mental health crisis who attend the emergency department at risk and creates an impossible choice for staff trying to keep them sa…
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A male wheelchair user is unable to use an internal staircase for access to the next level.
News

Wheelchair users in prisons facing harm and dignity concerns due to inaccessible environments

2 April 2026

Our investigation highlights that wheelchair users and people with mobility issues in prisons are being put at risk of physical harm, psychological distress and avoidable dignity violations due to in…
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A healthcare assistant wearing blue scrubs checks the blood sugar level of a male patient.
News

Persistent risks to safe insulin care in hospitals

26 March 2026

Patients with diabetes who rely on insulin are facing persistent and serious safety risks when admitted to hospital, according to our latest investigation report.
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A female healthcare professional talks to a female safety investigator on a busy hospital ward.
News

New blueprint for healthcare investigators could save lives

3 March 2026

A first-of-its-kind framework has mapped the exact skills and qualities healthcare safety investigators need to prevent repeated harm to patients, offering a way forward from the old-style blame and …
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News

HSSIB publishes new strategy to strengthen investigation capability in England

26 February 2026

Today we launched our new strategy ‘Building Investigation Excellence’ to help meet the demands of a changing patient safety landscape.
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A young diabetic woman holds a syringe pen to inject insulin.
News

Disconnect in specialist diabetes care for adults with mental health problems

26 February 2026

Our new report urges action to improve access to specialist diabetes care for adults who self-administer insulin and live with a mental health problem, urging that gaps between services are putting v…
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An illustration of a variety of healthcare workers dressed in different uniforms standing on a series of cogs, to demonstrate the healthcare system.
Blog

Why I worry the NHS could slip backwards on patient safety

11 February 2026

Ted Baker, Chair of HSSIB, blogs about his concern that the NHS risks slipping backwards on patient safety and why this matters now.
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News

Our response to the NMC Spotlight report

5 February 2026

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) have published a Spotlight report informed by the first ever annual survey of professionals on their register, and data on where those on their register work …
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The World Cancer Day 2026 logo on a blue background.
Blog

Making cancer care safer: what we’ve learnt from our investigations

4 February 2026

At the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), we’ve carried out seven patient safety investigations that have touched upon care for patients with cancer, to understand why issues occur a…
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News

Response to report that focuses on global collaboration to improve patient safety

30 January 2026

The Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London and Patient Safety Watch have published their annual State of Patient Safety report.
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A male nurse kneels next to a female patient laying in a bed on a hospital corridor.
News

Better understanding of the use of temporary care environments needed to minimise risks to patients

8 January 2026

Temporary care environments, commonly referred to as ‘corridor care,’ are being used across NHS trusts and there are widespread concerns about normalising their use and the impact on patients and sta…
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Head and shoulders photo of HSSIB Chair, Ted Baker, against a royal purple background. Text reads: New Year Honours List 2026.
News

HSSIB Chair awarded CBE in New Year Honours List

30 December 2025

Ted Baker, Chair of the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB), has been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours List 2026 for services to healt…
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News

Ongoing risk of harm linked to electronic patient record systems

27 November 2025

Our latest report emphasises how electronic patient record (EPR) systems still contribute to patient care being missed, delayed or recorded incorrectly. This is despite national recommendations and a…
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A young woman with a pained expression lies in an ambulance with her eyes closed while two paramedics treat her.
News

Report identifies risks in ambulance ECG interpretation and timely STEMI diagnosis

30 October 2025

Our latest report highlights the challenges faced by ambulance crews in interpreting ECGs when a patient has a suspected type of heart attack known as an ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).
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News

Our response to the Care Quality Commission’s State of Care 2024/25 report

24 October 2025

The State of Care report is the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) annual assessment of the quality of health and social care in England.
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News

Our response to the NAO report on clinical negligence

17 October 2025

A new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) considers the cost of clinical negligence in England.
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News

Report highlights healthcare staff have welcomed shift under patient safety incident investigation framework

9 October 2025

Our latest report has found that NHS staff have been positive about the impact that the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) can have on patient safety. However, it also reveals that mo…
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Close-up view of the back doors of an ambulance, against a grey sky. The blue emergency lights are switched on.
Blog

HSSIB impact: life-saving difference for acute aortic dissection patients

19 September 2025

To mark Global Aortic Dissection Awareness Day, Gareth Owens from the national patient charity blogs about the impact two HSSIB reports have had, with hundreds more people now receiving life-saving e…
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The logo for World Patient Safety Day 2025.
News

WHO calls for safe care for every newborn and every child

17 September 2025

Today – 17 September 2025 – is World Patient Safety Day. Led by the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s an opportunity to raise public awareness, foster collaboration between organisations and mobi…
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News

Report highlights importance of national response to maternity safety concerns

19 August 2025

Today, we published a new report and reiterates that challenges in maternity and neonatal safety are the result of systemic issues at a national level, rather than isolated issues within local areas.
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A female nurse gives an older woman medical pills.
News

Report emphasises importance of clear information to support safe and timely medication administration post hospital discharge

14 August 2025

We have published a report today highlighting the importance of sharing patient information between services effectively and ensuring patients are confident in medication self-administration before h…
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Aerial view of a prison site in the English countryside.
News

Report highlights IT and data sharing challenges affect safety of prison healthcare

24 July 2025

Our latest report has identified risks to patient safety due to poor interoperability between digital systems and challenges with GP registration processes in prisons.
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News

Second annual report marks a year of rapid progress and driving impact in patient safety

23 July 2025

Our second Annual Report and Accounts has been published, highlighting a full year of investigation, learning and transformation.
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A district nurse cares for an elderly man with a head injury in his living room at home.
News

Investigation finds patients suffer harm as electronic communications fail to support their safe discharge from hospital

10 July 2025

Patients are coming to harm due to failures in the way critical clinical information is electronically communicated when they are discharged from hospital.
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News

10 year plan recognises importance of HSSIB for the future of patient safety

3 July 2025

We welcome the publication today of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan. It recognises the importance of our work and gives us clear direction for the future. We will continue to address systemic patient saf…
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News

HSSIB’s work to address patient safety concerns continues as usual

30 June 2025

Our work to address systemic patient safety concerns continues as usual, whilst we await the publication of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan and the Dash review of patient safety organisations.
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Focus on the hand of a hospital patient laying on a bed. An IV cannula is inserted in a vein on the top of their hand.
News

Investigation reports highlight ongoing challenges in early diagnosis of sepsis

26 June 2025

Despite extensive national work and awareness campaigns, the recognition of sepsis remains an urgent and persistent safety risk, according to three reports published today.
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A brightly lit corridor on a hospital paediatric ward. The space is clear, clean and predominantly white, with a colourful mural running along one wall.
Blog

Designing paediatric wards to support mental health

20 May 2025

Saskia Fursland, Senior Safety Investigator, blogs about her visit to a newly opened paediatric ward where its design has carefully considered children and young people with mental health needs. Sask…
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Events

Webinar: mental health care in inpatient settings

14 May 2025

A webinar to discuss our series of patient safety investigations looking at mental health inpatient care, directed by the Secretary of State for Health.
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A female clinician crouches to reassure and help a male patient who sits on the floor with his head in his hands.
News

More must be done to stop reoccurring harm in mental health

13 May 2025

Critical recommendations to improve mental health inpatient services are too often not implemented, which leads to missed opportunities to learn, improve and prevent harm to patients and NHS staff, a…
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Sophie Hide, Senior Investigation Science Educator, stands next to her poster presentation in a conference hall.
News

Education team present safety investigator competencies work at annual human factors conference

7 May 2025

Sophie Hide, Senior Investigation Science Educator, represented HSSIB at ‘Ergonomics & Human Factors 2025’ which took place over three days in Burton upon Trent in April.
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News

Stephen Carruthers appointed as Finance and Resources Director

30 April 2025

Following a successful recruitment process we have appointed Stephen Carruthers to the role of Finance and Resources Director. He will take up the position on 1 June 2025.
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Portrait of a male paramedic wearing a bright yellow jacket.
News

HSSIB responds to growing number of violent assaults against ambulance staff

25 April 2025

The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) has this week published data that shows the number of violent incidents against UK ambulance staff has reached 22,500 a year for the first time ev…
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A young burnt out doctor sits resting his chin on his hands.
News

Report warns NHS staff fatigue is still not recognised as a serious risk to patient safety

24 April 2025

Fatigue amongst NHS healthcare staff poses a significant yet under-recognised risk to patient safety, says our latest investigation report.
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A district nurse cares for an elderly man with a head injury in his living room at home.
News

Frequent failures in co-ordinating care for patients with long-term health issues

10 April 2025

A lack of co-ordination of care for people with long-term health conditions is taking a toll on patients and carers. As a result they experience burnout, distress and harm, says our latest report.
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Five patient safety leaders sit on a stage to take part in a panel discussion, introduced by a compere standing next to a microphone.
News

HSSIB takes to the world stage at patient safety summit

7 April 2025

The 7th Global Ministerial Summit for Patient Safety took place last week (3-4 April 2025) in Manila, Philippines. Dr Rosie Benneyworth took to the stage to help kick-off the first day of the summit …
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News

Our response to ‘The Safety Gap’ report

1 April 2025

A new report from the Patient Safety Commissioner shows that people with sensory impairment experience a safety gap with medicines and medical devices.
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A young woman with a pained expression lies in an ambulance with her eyes closed while two paramedics treat her.
News

Report highlights concerning variation in paramedic ECG education and training

27 March 2025

HSSIB’s latest report calls for more consistency in the way paramedics are educated and trained to carry out and interpret ECGs of patients who could be critically ill.
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News

HSSIB celebrates making the shortlist for HSJ Digital Awards 2025

17 March 2025

We are very pleased to announce that the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) has been shortlisted in the ‘Digital Clinical Safety Award’ category at the HSJ Digital Awards 2025.
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A female nurse speaks with an elderly male patient laying in a hospital bed. She is using a digital tablet device.
News

Learning prompts for hospitals to improve anticoagulation medication safety

13 March 2025

We’ve published a report that examines a patient safety event involving an 87-year-old man on anticoagulation medication. The report demonstrates the highly complex and dynamic nature of clinical dec…
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Blog

Patient safety in Japan: no-fault compensation for birth injury

3 March 2025

In the last of three guest blog posts for HSSIB, Professor Shin Ushiro talks us through the no-fault compensation system for birth injury in Japan, in particular how they worked with patients and fam…
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Blog

Patient safety in Japan: national reporting and learning system

20 February 2025

In part two of three guest blog posts for HSSIB, Professor Shin Ushiro talks us through the development of the national reporting and learning system in Japan, and its value to frontline healthcare s…
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A smiling health visitor wearing green scrubs helps an older woman to walk in her home.
News

Report finds there is no 'consistent' approach to managing safety risks when patients' care spans multiple providers

13 February 2025

Our latest report found that integrated care boards (ICBs) do not have visibility of some patient safety risks, which impacts on their ability to effectively deal with those risks to keep patients sa…
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Flag of Japan on the world map.
Blog

Patient safety in Japan: a brief history

5 February 2025

In the first of three guest blog posts for HSSIB, Professor Shin Ushiro discusses Japan’s patient safety journey, similarities with other countries and future perspectives.
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News

Report ‘evidences a system still not learning’ from mental health inpatient deaths

30 January 2025

Significant systemic issues, lack of patient and family involvement and cultures of fear and blame contribute to mental health services not learning from inpatient deaths, says our latest report.
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News

Our response to increased violence against ambulance staff

7 January 2025

Dr Rosie Benneyworth responds to new statistics that show ambulance services are on course for the highest rate of reported incidents of violence.
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