Serious Untoward Incident Policy - Health Partnerships Learning ...

1. Policy Statement1.1 This policy determines how serious untoward incidents (hereafter referred to as SUIs),both clinical and non-clinical, will be managed across Nottinghamshire Community Health(NCH). The organisation will put in place effective mechanisms for managing and monitoringserious untoward incidents. It is the responsibility of the Governance Committee (NCH) toreceive summary reports from serious incident reviews and to be assured that wherenecessary, new procedures are developed and reviewed to prevent reoccurrence.1.2 This Policy is related to the Care Quality Commission registration regulations and alsothe NHS Litigation Authority Risk Management Standards for Primary Care Trusts.1.3 Nottinghamshire Community Health has a fair and open culture (Appendix A) and asupportive approach to dealing with serious incidents. Rather than seeking to assign blamethe emphasis is that the occurrence of an incident, however serious, is not in itself evidenceof neglect, carelessness or dereliction of duty. Only if evidence emerges of breaches of law,[Criminal or Civil], professional standards, codes of conduct or repeated poor performancewill disciplinary action be considered.1.4 Nottinghamshire Community Health will ensure that as far as reasonably practicableinformation regarding SUIs is provided to patients as soon as possible and also ifappropriate, to relatives and other stakeholders. (Appendix B: Quick Reference Guide toBeing Open)2. Policy Scope2.1 The policy covers all NCH employed staff whatever their role or location and isapplicable to others working within NCH premises. The Policy outlines the overarchingprinciples associated with the management of SUIs.3. Policy Purpose3.1 The purpose of this policy is promote consistent management, reporting, review andlearning from an SUI.3.2 This policy aims to give guidance to staff who are alerted to a SUI and theirresponsibilities. The Policy appendices provide specific operational guidance in themanagement of SUIs.3.3 To provide a framework to ensure consistent management of SUIs.4. Policy objectives4.1 The objectives of this policy are to ensure: A widely understood definition of a serious untoward incident That a serious untoward incident is declared and reported in a timely manner andappropriately managed There is appropriate reporting both internally and externally when a SUI has takenplace Clear lines of reporting and accountability That a thorough investigation (using root cause analysis techniques) of a SUI iscarried out and actions are implemented to ensure learning.3