Like other NHS service providers across the country, we are currently preparing to move from using the existing Serious Incident Framework to NHS England’s new Patient Safety Incident Framework (PSIRF).

This is a major step towards improving safety management across the healthcare system in England.

The framework has been developed following widespread consultation and is informed by the experience of early adopters who piloted an introductory version.

But at Navigo, we’d also like to work with service users, families and carers and the wider membership throughout the transition process.

Patient safety aims to prevent and reduce risks, errors and harm that may occur to patients or service users during the provision of health care.

It focuses on continuous improvement based on learning from errors and adverse events.

Patient safety is fundamental to delivering quality essential health services because quality health services should be effective, safe and people-centred.

Patient safety incidents are any unintended or unexpected incident which could have, or did, lead to harm for one or more patients or service users receiving healthcare.

The Patient Safety Incident Response Framework sets out new guidance on how NHS organisations and providers of NHS services, respond to patient safety incidents.

It has been created to help organisations examine patient safety incidents without fear of blame, while supporting those people affected.

It focuses on engagement with affected individuals and understanding how incidents happen allowing for more effective learning and safer care for service users.

Navigo plans to launch PSIRF in 2024.

How do I get involved?

Interested? Whether you’re interested in developing the Patient Safety Incident Response plan and policy or you’d like to become a Patient Safety Partner, you can get involved.

A period of preparation to move from the existing Serious Incident Framework is underway. This will include development and publication of our own patient safety incident response policy and plan, review of existing improvement work and staff training. We’ll continue to keep you updated on how the project progresses.

We’d like service users, families and carers to be involved in developing this plan and reviewing existing improvement work.

We’re also looking for Patient Safety Partners. People undertaking these roles will be actively involved in the design of safer health care at all levels in the organisation. To find out more information about the Patient Safety Partner role, and download an application form, click the button below.