Incident Management Policy Including Serious Incidents Requiring ...

If a staff member is contacted by the media regarding an incident they should refer them to theCommunications team on 01726 62794211 Recommendations and Action PlanningInvestigations should lead to recommendations and action planning to prevent or minimise thelikelihood of a similar incident occurring in the future. These action plans should include details ofwho is responsible for taking the actions and a date for completion and should be monitored by anappropriate forum. Please see Section 3 for information on which PCH committee or subcommitteemay be appropriate.The ongoing monitoring of incident data by the PCH committees and subcommittees as describedin section 3, will allow the organisation to ensure the recommendations and actions have had theintended affect.12 Support for Patients, Carers, Relatives and othersBeing involved in an incident which is under investigation can be an incredibly stressfulexperience. Communication with the patients and/or relatives, visitors or contractors may need totake place both pre and post investigation of an incident.It is important that patients and/or relatives, visitors or contractors are communicated withregarding an incident before the media become aware.This communication should be undertaken by an appropriate member of staff, which in manycases will be the matron or senior manager. In the case of a serious incident requiringinvestigation it may be agreed that communication should go through the Chief Executive.In all cases communication with patients and/or relatives, visitors or contractors should bedocumented in the incident file and take place as soon as is possible and practicable.Where an investigation is likely to take some time, or is running behind schedule, those involvedshould be contacted to explain this and the reasons for the delay.Please refer to the Peninsula Community Health Being Open Policy for further guidance onPatient/relative/visitor/contractor communication and support.12.1 TimingCommunication with the staff may need to take place both pre and post investigation of anincident. Staff personally involved in the incident, as well as other staff within theorganisation may need to be involved in investigation discussion. This communicationshould be undertaken by an appropriate member of staff, which in many cases will be thematron or senior manager. In the case of a serious incident requiring investigation it maybe agreed that communication should go through the appropriate Director or the ChiefExecutive.12.2 StatementsStatements should be taken as soon as possible after the event to ensure the informationwithin them is as accurate as possible.12.3 Staff supportStaff who have been involved in an incident may require additional support. This couldcome from colleagues, managers and/or possibly from occupational health or anemployment union.16 of 28