Consultation Analysis Report: Serious Adverse Incident Redesign Programme - Framework for Learning and Improvement (19 February 2026)

Summary

In 2025 the Department of Health in Northern Ireland held a consultation on the introduction of a new Regional Framework for Learning and Improvement from Patient Safety Incidents to replace the existing Serious Adverse Incident Procedure. This report provides an analysis and summary of the comments made in response to each consultation question. It also covers comments and views shared during consultation events and those in formal consultation response submissions to the Department of Health.

Content

Summarising the responses received as part of this consultation, the report states that overall there was strong support for the strategic direction set out in the consultation. It notes that respondents endorsed the proposals as a significant step towards fostering a culture that prioritises openness and learning to improve patient safety and the delivery and quality of care.

It advises that the Department will now take time to consider the responses in further detail and will work with partners to consider additions, amendments and refinements that are required to the strategic proposals. This will include ensuring alignment with the implementation of other ongoing policy development in this area including, for example, the Being Open Framework.

The report concludes by stating that once considered and approved by the Minister, publication of the Framework, Standards, and Principles will establish the agreed strategic governing framework for learning and improvement from Patient Safety Incidents. A managed transition and implementation phase is anticipated to begin in early 2026. It notes that the Department will keep interested parties informed about future developments relating to the new strategic approach and its implementation.