Incident reporting policy - Homerton University Hospital

Appendix 6MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDINGThe Department of Health, in collaboration with the Police and Health & Safety Executive (HSE), issued aMemorandum of Understanding together with Guidelines covering its operation, in February 2006. ThisMemorandum of Understanding concerns Investigating Patient Safety Incidents involving unexpected death orserious harm.It may be necessary on occasions to contact the Police and HSE following a safety incident where there isevidence or suspicion that the adverse consequences were intended or gross negligence/recklessness in aserious safety incident occurred, including as a result of failure to follow safe practice or procedure or protocol.The decision to contact the Police and HSE under this memorandum must be made at a sufficiently senior level,meaning either the Chief Executive or another Executive DirectorIf any of these are suspected, within 5 working days an Incident Co-ordination Group (ICG) should be set up anda meeting arranged. This should consist of senior members from each agency and with other interested partiessuch as Social Services and the Coroner.Evidence must be secured and preserved promptly following such incidents and receipts for the transfer ofevidence must be maintained by all parties. It is important that information is shared and exchanged betweenagencies but this must be in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.The ICG is responsible for agreeing a liaison strategy at the first meeting for keeping those involved (includingpatients, relatives, injured parties and NHS staff) supported throughout the process and for agreeing a strategy todeal with the media.With thanks to Barts and The London NHS Trust Incident reporting policy 2007Page 38 of 47