NHS Serious Incident framework (27 March 2015)

Summary

The Serious Incident framework describes the process and procedures to help ensure serious incidents are identified correctly, investigated thoroughly and, most importantly, learned from to prevent the likelihood of similar incidents happening again.

This framework explains the responsibilities involved when dealing with serious incidents and includes actions staff are required to take, and the tools available. It is designed to inform staff providing and commissioning NHS funded services in England who may be involved in identifying, investigating or managing a serious incident. It is relevant to all NHS-funded care in the primary, community, secondary and tertiary sectors, including private sector organisations providing NHS-funded services.

At some point in 2022, the Serious Incident framework will be replaced by the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework