Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch
HSIB became operational on 1 April 2017. Our purpose is to improve safety through effective and independent investigations that don't apportion blame or liability.
Tell us about a patient safety concern
Link to page with safety awareness formAbout us
Although funded by the Department of Health & Social Care and hosted by NHS England and NHS Improvement, we operate independently. We're also independent from regulatory bodies like the Care Quality Commission (CQC). By offering a new perspective and developing meaningful and influential recommendations we aim to drive positive change at a wider level.
Recognising and responding to critically unwell patients
Read our latest investigation report, including safety recommendations and observations.
Latest news / view all
National Patient Safety Alert Committee responds to HSIB safety recommendation
We made a safety recommendation to the National Patient Safety Alert Committee as a result of our investigation into the piped supply of medical air and oxygen. The National Patient Safety Alert Committee has now introduced a set of standards – agreed in 2018 – for National Patient Safety Alerts.
Investigations
Any person, group or organisation can share cases for potential investigation via the safety awareness form. Each submission is reviewed against our criteria, and an important part of assessment is whether we can learn something new that improves practice across the health system. We use a range of approaches focusing on establishing cause and identifying risk.