HSSIB's investigation criteria (18 December 2024)

Summary

As the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) came into operation on 1 October 2023 one of the key priorities was to develop a new strategy, outlining HSSIB's long-term goals and themes that underpin our objectives. They also reviewed their investigation criteria.

The criteria is designed to allow assessment across the available evidence, extent of risk and potential for improving care provision. It sets out the criteria and principles for HSSIB investigations.

Content

The criteria are designed to allow assessment across the available evidence, looking at potential harm, scale of the issue, health inequalities and potential to drive improvement.

Table setting out criteria for HSSIB investigations (Click on table to enlarge it)

Key principles for investigation

1. HSSIB do not attribute blame or liability in our investigations.
2. HSSIB underpin investigations with the most appropriate and robust safety science methodologies.
3. HSSIB investigations take a system perspective and aim to reduce the likelihood of incidents happening.
4. HSSIB involve patients, families, and healthcare staff in our investigations.
5. HSSIB consider how to improve care for those subjected to health inequalities in all our investigations.
6. HSSIB will have a multidisciplinary team approach to investigations using skilled investigators.
7. HSSIB involve appropriate subject matter advisors in our investigations.
8. HSSIB recommendations will be impactful, and will work with the system to ensure there is maximum effect.
9. HSSIB will be open and transparent about how they work whilst protecting the disclosure of specific evidence that they gather during the investigations.
10. HSSIB will undertake investigations in a timely manner, and in the most cost-effective way.