Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust: Harms review standard operating procedure (October 2018)

Summary

Harm reviews give assurance to patients, patient groups, commissioners and the public as to whether patients have been harmed, or are at risk of harm, as well as helping to avoid future harm to patient. Patients may be harmed not only by clinical treatment, but also as a result of the need to be on a waiting list for clinical treatment, as this may result in deterioration of their physical or mental condition. 

Royal Cornwall Hospitals standard operating procedure (SOP) identifies a standardised approach to harm reviews for all specialities at the Trust that support the Trusts' governance and assurance processes and maintains practice in line with national expectations.