As well as having clinical expertise within the team, HSIB also draw on other specialist knowledge during investigations
Independent advisors
Our advisers come from across the healthcare system, and can be anyone that has relevant expertise in the area we're investigating. It's important for us to engage with advisors because they help us to build a factual and accurate record of events, as well as reflecting on the degree to which standard practice was deviated from. They are completely independent and not employed by HSIB.
The specialist knowledge needed for each investigation differs, but often advisors are: patients, clinicians, representatives from pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers and regulators.
Internal investigation teams
Investigation teams within local Trusts are crucial to our process. They are the first people to determine what happened and why through early internal investigations.
We'll often work with a local liaison officer - they can provide updates on the status of their investigation, what they have found so far and provide access to key evidence.