The Patient Safety Management Network yearly round up: Claire Cox reflects on 2024

Summary

As we reflect on another year dedicated to enhancing patient safety, Claire Cox, Chair of the Patient Safety Management Network, shares some key highlights and achievements.

The Patient Safety Management Network (PSMN) is an innovative network for patient safety managers and everyone working in patient safety.

Content

Your unwavering commitment and collaborative efforts have been instrumental in making the network a success. Here’s a look back at this year’s key moments.

Membership and engagement

• Membership growth: This year, our network of 1800 grew by over 400 members from across various healthcare sectors, including acute trusts, ambulance services, community services, mental health services, primary care and social care.
• Meetings and participation: We hosted 47 meetings with an average weekly attendance of 103 participants. These gatherings fostered robust discussions, knowledge sharing and collaborative problem solving. Participants are patient safety managers, clinicians, patient safety partners, educators, risk and governance managers, reflecting that the Network is open to anyone working in patient safety in the UK.
• Expert speakers: We welcomed 47 distinguished speakers from different areas of the healthcare system, who shared valuable insights and innovations in patient safety, inspiring discussion and ideas for patient safety improvement.
• Networking: Colleagues connected with each other outside of the Network meetings, collaborating and sharing perspectives and good practice.
• We inspired another Network: In November, Sarah Charles gave a presentation on the Multi Agency Review Group (MARG). MARG is a system-wide group that supports the review of joint incident investigations. It is a mechanism for the surrounding region to meet up, share and contact each other with ease.

Key topics and discussions

Throughout the year, we explored a wide range of crucial topics, including:

• Patient Safety Incident Review tools: We deepened our understanding of PSIRF tools such as ACCIMAP, FRAM (Functional Resonance Analysis Method), SEIPS (Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety), observational studies and After Action Reviews. We learned about the tools and importantly how to apply them
• Engaging with families: Engaging discussions were held around thematic reviews, focusing on family and patient engagement models, learning about the harmed patient pathway from AvMA and improving safety culture.
• Improving safety culture: We heard from various Trusts about their PSIRF journey, learning reviews, Schwartz Rounds and strategies for supporting staff affected by patient safety incidents. 

Achievements

Our inaugural PSMN Symposium

In September, together with the Patient Safety Education Network (PSEN), we held our first Patient Safety Symposium. Our annual symposium was a hub of creativity, innovation and collaboration. Members shared experiences, strategies and solutions to emerging patient safety challenges. This year’s focus was on the practical application of SEIPS and ACCIMAP.

We are grateful to BD for hosting the event at their Safety and Innovation Hub in Winnersh, Berkshire, which allowed us to offer the symposium free to PSMN and PSEN members.

Our first book: 'Patient Safety - Emerging Applications of Safety Science'

This year also marked the release of our first book, 'Patient Safety: Emerging Applications of Safety Science'. The book delves into the evolving landscape of patient safety, exploring the latest research, methodologies and applications of safety science in healthcare. Featuring contributions from leading experts within our Network, it offers practical insights into the implementation of safety principles and tools in real-world healthcare settings. The book serves as a resource for professionals seeking to improve patient safety through the application of scientific frameworks and evidence-based strategies. We’re delighted at how positively the book has been received and are already exploring ideas for a second edition.

Looking forward to 2025

We are excited about the year ahead, and we look forward to building on our successes and continuing to collaborate on initiatives that make healthcare safer for all. We are already booked up to April with speakers and welcome ideas for topics and new speakers.

With the appointment of new staff to our Patient Safety Team, we’re going to be developing new networks (watch this space!) with the PSMN being the hub of all our networks.

A big thank you!

I would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to all members for your dedication and contributions to the Network. Your hard work and engagement are what make the PSMN so impactful. I’d also like to say a thank AQUA, who assist taking notes at Network meetings, and BD who provided some tech setup funding for the private forum on the hub. I’d especially like to thank Patient Safety Learning for hosting the Network on the hub and providing us with invaluable support to grow and develop the PSMN over the past three years. 

Together, we are making significant strides in patient safety.

Wishing you a safe and happy New Year!

How to join the Patient Safety Management Network

You can join by signing up to the hub today. When putting in your details, please tick Patient Safety Management Network in the ‘Join a private group’ section. If you are already a member of the hub, please email [email protected].