Press releases
Our latest reports and key press coverage.
Our latest publications, with links to download the full report including safety recommendations, the associated press release and key press coverage.
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For past publications see the press office archive.
Lack of timely monitoring of patients with glaucoma
National investigation report published 9 January 2020.
Lack of timely follow-up for glaucoma patients is a recognised national issue across the NHS. Research suggests that around 22 patients a month suffer severe or permanent sight loss as a result of the delays.
Press release and report
Final report: lack of timely monitoring of patients with glaucoma
Press coverage
NHS delays responsible for glaucoma patients going blind, says watchdog Independent, 9 January 2020
Glaucoma patients going blind due to treatment delays, watchdog finds The Guardian, 9 January 2020
NHS patients are being left to go BLIND because of year-long delays in getting appointments for glaucoma and other vision-robbing conditions, damning report warns Mail Online, 9 January 2020
Detection of retained vaginal swabs and tampons following childbirth
National investigation report published 18 December 2019.
Women can be left in severe pain and at risk of infection if swabs and tampons used after childbirth are accidentally left in the vagina. This report sets out the case of Christine, a 30-year-old woman who had a surgical tampon inserted after the birth of her first child. It was left in and not discovered until five days after leaving hospital.
Press release and report
Final report: detection of retained vaginal swabs and tampons following childbirth
Electronic prescribing and medicines administration systems and safe discharge
National investigation report published 24 October 2019.
We’ve identified a significant safety risk posed by poorly implemented electronic prescribing and medicines administration (ePMA) systems. The report comes after we looked at the case of 75-year old Ann Midson, who was left taking two powerful blood thinning medications after a mix-up at her local hospital where she was receiving treatment whilst suffering from incurable cancer.
Press release and report
Final report: ePMA systems and safe discharge
Press coverage
Podcast: how a communication error and subsequent medication mix up led to the death of a patient Pharmacy In Practice, 16 December 2019.
‘Significant safety risk’ surrounds e-prescribing after drug mix-up Digital Health, 6 November 2019.
NHS use of e-prescribing can be a ‘risk to patient safety’ HSJ, 28 October 2019 (this article is behind a paywall).
Electronic medication systems risk patient safety if not implemented properly, safety body warns The Pharmaceutical Journal, 24 October 2019.
Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch warns partial set up of electronic medication systems in NHS puts patients at risk National Health Executive, 24 October 2019.
Poorly implemented electronic medication systems in the NHS are putting patients at risk Pharma Field, 24 October 2019.
Report warns of electronic medication system risks Pharmacy Business, 24 October 2019.
Management of chronic health conditions in prisons
National investigation report published 10 October 2019.
Prisoners are at risk of being transferred without crucial medication, according to our national healthcare safety investigation report. Our investigation looks into the case study of Martin, a 43-year old inmate, who suffered multiple seizures after his epilepsy medication wasn’t transferred with him to a new prison.
Press release and report
Press release: gap in care for chronically ill prisoners (PDF)
Final report: management of chronic health conditions in prisons
Press coverage
Chronically ill prisoners risk of being transferred without medication because of gaps in care The BMJ, 14 October 2019 (this article is behind a paywall).
Wrong patient details on blood sample
National investigation report published 26 September 2019.
The report highlights a case where patient details became mixed up on blood samples sent from a maternity unit. In the case of mislabelling on blood transfusion samples, the impact could be devastating; there’s the potential for serious injuries and even death. But, even the delay in care resulting from wrong blood test results could cause significant psychological distress to patients.
Press release and report
Press release: safety body highlights impact of blood sampling errors across NHS
Final report: wrong patient details on blood sample
Press coverage
Blood test mix-ups hit record high The Times, 13 October 2019 (this article is behind a paywall).
Management of acute onset testicular pain
National investigation report published 12 September 2019.
Testicular torsion is a condition where the testicle twists, cuts off the blood supply and results in significant pain. It mainly affects young boys and teenagers. If not treated in time it can result in the loss of a testicle. This report sets out a number of safety recommendations to improve diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion.
Press release and report
Press release: safety body calls for speedier diagnosis of time-critical testicular torsion (PDF)
Final report: management of acute onset testicular pain
Press coverage
Student left in severe pain for six days and had testicle removed after multiple NHS errors iNews, 13 September 2019.
Student had to have testicle removed after 5 different GPs missed signs of 'medical emergency' The Telegraph, 12 September 2019.
University student had testicle removed due to NHS error, investigation finds Evening Standard, 12 September 2019.
Student had to have testicle removed after errors in medical care The Guardian, 12 September 2019.
Student had to have testicle removed after health blunders Metro, 12 September 2019.
'NHS errors' leave university student, 20, with one testicle Manchester Evening News, 12 September 2019.
University student, 20, lost his right testicle 'because it took doctors SIX DAYS to notice it had twisted around and cut off blood supply' Daily Mail, 12 September 2019.
Failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings
National investigation report published 18 July 2019.
X-rays are the most common radiological examination. 22.9 million were carried out in the NHS in 2016/17. Failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings is a nationally recognised patient safety risk. The lack of follow-up or communication of unexpected significant findings can have a serious or life-threatening impact on patients.
Press release and report
Final report: failures in communication or follow-up of unexpected significant radiological findings
Press coverage
Technology could provide safety net for scan and x ray results lost in the system The BMJ, 19 July 2019 (this article is behind a paywall).
Undetected button and coin cell battery ingestion in children
National investigation report published 27 June 2019.
We've put forward safety recommendations around product safety, public awareness and clinical decision making, to prevent serious injuries or death from the unknown ingestion of button and coin cell batteries. It follows a reference event where a child died following the unknown and undetected ingestion of a coin cell battery.
Press release and report
Final report: undetected button and coin cell battery ingestion in children
Interview
Interview with Vamsi Kagga: father of the child at the centre of the investigation reference event (PDF)
Press coverage
New safety advice after battery death of girl, 3 Sky News, 28 June 2019.
Metal detectors 'could be used by A&E doctors on children' after girl, three, died 10 days after swallowing a button battery that lodged in her throat Daily Mail, 27 June 2019.
Past publications
For past publications see the press office archive.