County Durham and Darlington

Concerns summary A vulnerable, elderly patient was not provided with clear documented instructions to resume crucial anti-coagulation medication post-discharge, highlighting a gap in discharge advice for at-risk individuals.

Concerns summary Ineffective placement of pressure mats allowed residents to bypass them, and unreliable audible alarms meant falls went undetected by staff.

Concerns summary Clarification, redrafting, and improved guidance are needed for the PSI64/2011 section on first case reviews of ACCT assessments to ensure consistent and effective application across all prisons.

Concerns summary Family-reported suicide risks were not documented or acted upon by hospital staff. The absence of monitored or recorded patient telephone calls prevented verification of communications regarding risks and affected risk assessments.

Concerns summary Critical failures in managing informal patient leave, including lack of staff policy knowledge, inadequate risk assessment updates, and severe delays in responding to a patient's absence, contributed to significant safety concerns.

Concerns summary Prison healthcare staff and a GP lacked or had insufficient ACCT training, resulting in non-adherence to mandatory ACCT procedures and indicating a clear, ongoing training need.

Concerns summary The highway crossover point lacks a deceleration lane and clear signage, forcing westbound traffic to slow dangerously in the outside lane for a right turn, which is not prohibited.

Concerns summary Lack of formal monitoring for patients awaiting discharge and an absence of clear policy for safe late-night discharges risk inconsistent, potentially erroneous decisions by medical staff.

Concerns summary The falls risk assessment policy fails to presume increased risk for certain patient classes, like stroke patients, potentially leading to misclassification and adverse outcomes. Individual assessment without this presumption is questioned.

Concerns summary Critical delays occurred in locating a patient due to ambulance service staff lacking training on finding callers with incomplete address information and inadequate communication protocols with BT. Subsequent investigations and revised protocols were also insufficient and poorly implemented.

Concerns summary Hospital discharge of a high-risk patient without family notification, inadequate communication regarding medication protocols, and a delayed nurse follow-up visit created significant safety risks.