Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Action Planned (AI summary) A new protocol for the transfer of patients requiring life-saving surgery has been written and shared with relevant stakeholders. The protocol has been published online and all critical care units in the country have been contacted. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS is finalising and communicating a local protocol for the admission of patients requiring emergency neurosurgical procedures, based on SBNS guidelines. This will be shared with trusts within their neurosurgery catchment area. NHS England sought assurance from Specialised Neurosurgical Centres and referring hospitals that protocols are in place to ensure patients requiring life-saving surgical intervention will be referred regardless of critical care bed availability. Neuroscience Centres confirmed that protocols are in place and adhered to, and the Society of British Neurological Surgeons re-circulated guidelines on patient transfer.

Action Planned (AI summary) Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Trust has determined that following referral of Mrs. S to the vascular team, a letter was sent to Mrs. Stokes on 15 July 2015. Following this case, patient contact information has been reviewed. Further to the investigations referred to, Mrs S’ case is to be discussed at the next vascular Morbidity and Mortality meeting at NUH. The legal team is to be made part of the Governance Directorate, with offices adjacent to enable a greater working relationship. The Radiology Department will review and modify its XXXX policy to take account of electronic reporting and a referrer acknowledgement system.

Action Planned (AI summary) East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) has discussed the concerns within the Coroners Working Group and developed an action plan, reintroduced monthly meetings with hospitals and commissioners to improve ambulance turnaround, and increased available hours for ambulances and fast response vehicles by recruiting staff and realigning rosters. Hardwick CCG, on behalf of 22 CCGs across the East Midlands region, will undertake a jointly commissioned external strategic review focussing on capacity and demand with EMAS, with implementation over three years and have provided additional funding to EMAS to undertake further recruitment. NHS England notes that an external strategic review of capacity and demand will be undertaken and that the 2016/17 contract settlement also provided additional funding to EMAS in order to increase front-line staffing with the intention of improving ambulance response times. NHS Improvement is working with the East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust to address resourcing issues and improve response times and highlights that in 2015/16, the trust carried out a significant recruitment campaign and educated 350 whole time equivalent frontline posts.

Action Planned (AI summary) The Trust developed an Upper GI Bleed Transfer Policy for Bassetlaw Hospital after consultation between anaesthetic and medical teams. Staff will be made aware of the policy, and it will be ratified at the next Patient Safety Review Group meeting for wider dissemination.