Evaluating the new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  What changes following the launch of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework in the English NHS? A formative and summative evaluation of the implementation of a national safety policy.

• IRAS ID

  317868

• Contact name

  Jane K O'Hara

• Contact email

  jane.o'hara@bthft.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Leeds

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Large numbers of patients continue to be harmed during the course of their care. In the UK, numerous patient safety policies have been developed, leading to national and local systems for incident reporting and investigation, and a complex system of oversight and scrutiny. However, current approaches are increasingly questioned for their effectiveness in reducing harm. Policy implementation has arguably been resource intensive and increasingly bureaucratic, with little evidence of impact or learning over time. As a result, NHS England is launching a new policy framework: the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF). This has far reaching implications at all levels of healthcare by seeking to create incident response and learning processes that are more proactive, learning-focused, equitable and fair. The launch of the PSIRF provides a unique opportunity to explore and learn from the real-time implementation of a new national patient safety policy.
  In this ethnographic study we will work with acute NHS Trusts (n = 3) and mental health NHS Trusts (n = 3) in England to explore the pre- and post-implementation context. Rapid qualitative data collection will explore the pre-implementation context. Post-implementation, a period of organisational ethnography within each of the six sites (three 8-week data collection blocks per site) will explore PSIRF implementation from the perspective of the organisation, its patients and staff, and any relevant regulatory input. We will also conduct workshops with patient safety leads from across the UK. Data from this study will be synthesised to understand what worked in the implementation of the PSIRF and why. These findings will be used to guide the development of a handbook containing actionable strategies and recommendations for future policy implementation.

• REC name

  London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  22/PR/1600

• Date of REC Opinion

  9 Feb 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion