Analysis of NHS LA data pertaining to surgical deaths
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Analysis of the NHS Litigation Authority data on litigation related to deaths to determine whether a Bereavement Service may prevent litigation
IRAS ID
239319
Contact name
Caris E Grimes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 24 days
Research summary
At Medway NHS Foundation Trust, we have piloted a “Surgical Bereavement Service”. Following the death of a patient on one of the surgical wards, their next-of-kin is sent an invitation to attend the surgical bereavement service for an informal debriefing and discussion. This allows families to ask any questions they may have surrounding the death of their loved one and highlight any concerns about their care.
A review of the literature shows the enormous potential for such a service with respect to litigation. In essence, evidence from the United States, Australia and the UK shows that the main reasons people litigate after the death of a loved one is in order to understand the circumstances around their death and to ensure that if a mistake has been made, that it will not happen to anyone else
In order to investigate this further, we aim to follow the methodology of Cook et al (2009) in analysing litigation claims from the NHS Litigation Authority to determine type of claim, outcome and cost. Such analysis may enable a deeper understanding of why people litigate following the death of a patient under the care of a surgical team and whether this may be avoidable by a surgical Bereavement Service.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0592
Date of REC Opinion
28 Mar 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion