Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch
Our purpose is to improve patient 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
We conduct independent investigations of patient safety concerns in NHS-funded care across England. The safety recommendations we make aim to improve healthcare systems and processes in order to reduce risk and improve safety.
HSIB is funded by the Department of Health & Social Care and hosted by NHS England and NHS Improvement. We hope that when parliamentary time allows, we will be established as an independent public body.
Unplanned delayed removal of ureteric stents
This investigation was launched after concerns were reported to HSIB by a senior consultant urologist at a large hospital with a specialist kidney stone service. They reported an increase in referrals for patients needing surgical removal of encrusted stents due to delays in the routine removal of their ureteric stents.
In the investigation report we make four safety recommendations to the British Association of Urological Surgeons. The findings and conclusions aim to prevent the future occurrence of unplanned delayed removal of stents and improve care for patients across the NHS.
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Recognising Baby Loss Awareness Week (9-15 October 2020)
Through our maternity investigations we hear the devastating experiences from families who have lost a baby and recognise the importance of Baby Loss Awareness Week.
Investigations
We undertake patient safety investigations through two programmes - national investigations and maternity investigations. In our national programme we investigate up to 30 patient safety concerns each year in order to provide meaningful safety recommendations.
Our teams work closely with patients, families and healthcare staff affected by patient safety incidents and we never attribute blame or liability to individuals.
We welcome information about patient safety concerns from everyone, including patients and their families, the public, NHS staff and organisations.