National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
PFD Addressee
Reports: 105
Earliest: Feb 2014
Latest: 13 Feb 2026
85% 2-year response rate (above 83% average). 19% of classified responses show concrete action taken.
PFD Reports
62 resultsJames Fitzpatrick
All Responded
2026-0087
12 Feb 2026
Dorset
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of national and local written guidance for patient handovers between staff and wards leads to incorrect or incomplete information being transferred, risking patient care.
Disputed
(AI summary)
• The GMC met with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to discuss alignment across their respective pieces of guidance.
• The GMC and NMC explored opportunities for future collaborative working to develop some joint messaging highlighting the expected standards for communication within and across the multi-disciplinary team. • Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust undertook a review to determine whether any national guidance was in development regarding community and mental health handover processes.
• The Trust awaits the response from NICE, GMC, and NMC, and any guidance that is issued in this area.
• The Trust has reviewed its own local arrangements and additional action in relation to this is set out in section 3.
Pippa Gillibrand
All Responded
2026-0042
27 Jan 2026
Cheshire
Child Death
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A critical lack of national guidance exists for home births, covering midwife training, competency, staffing, equipment, and transfer thresholds, alongside an absence of outcome data collection.
Disputed
(AI summary)
• On 26 November 2025, NHS England wrote to all NHS maternity providers in England asking them to urgently review the safety and quality of their homebirth services.
• NHS England urged them to consider issues such as the operational running of their service and care planning and risk assessment. • NICE stated that home birth is covered in its guideline on intrapartum care (NG235).
• The guideline covers eligibility, informed choice, and midwife support for home births.
• The guideline includes recommendations that support further discussion with an appropriately trained senior or consultant midwife and/or a senior or consultant obstetrician (if there are obstetric issues) if such a discussion is wanted. • Officials made enquiries with NHS England to address the coroner's concerns.
• NHS England will be issuing a substantive response addressing the specific matters of concern raised. • NHS England is asking for an urgent review of the safety and quality of homebirth services.
• The review should consider the operational running of the service, care planning and risk assessment, and governance and oversight.
Matilda Pomfret-Thomas
All Responded
2026-0025
15 Jan 2026
Hampshire, Portsmouth Southampton
Child Death
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of regulation, registration, and clear guidance for doulas creates confusion about their role, risks them working outside clinical boundaries, and poses challenges for midwives and patient care.
Disputed
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledged the concerns but stated that the registration, regulation, and training of doulas are not their responsibility and are better addressed by other bodies such as the NMC, RCM, and RCOG. Developing Doulas submitted a voluntary response, disputing the perception that the doula's presence negatively impacted midwifery services. They argued that the doula acted within a non-clinical support role and that difficulties highlight the need for strengthening communication and collaborative working with non-clinical supporters. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged concerns about unregulated doulas, clarified their current status as non-regulated professionals, and outlined the roles of other bodies like the NMC and NICE. They stated that NHS England will not be producing guidance for midwives' interactions with doulas. The NMC has updated its guidance and collaborated with Doula UK to launch a video resource clarifying the distinct roles of midwives and doulas to support positive maternity experiences. They stated that doula registration, regulation, and training are beyond their remit and a matter for government policy.
Edward Jones
All Responded
2025-0633
18 Dec 2025
West Yorkshire Eastern
Child Death
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The absence of a nationally validated sepsis screening tool for Paediatric Emergency Departments and inconsistent application of the trust's own tool across units risk delayed sepsis diagnosis.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the difficulty of recognising sepsis in children and highlights existing guidance and screening tools. They are planning to update their guidance on paediatric sepsis in 2026, considering adapting the current 'traffic light' system to one based on NPEWS.
Antonio Galisi-Swallow
All Responded
2025-0608
4 Dec 2025
West Yorkshire Eastern
Child Death
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There is an absence of national guidance for the use of propofol for short-term sedation in children and young people in paediatric intensive care units.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE declines to develop national guidance on propofol for short-term sedation in children on PICUs, stating that local protocols are more appropriate due to varying local prescribing issues. They suggest that NHS England or the Paediatric Critical Care Society could consider suggesting that all PICUs develop local protocols.
Peter Thomas
All Responded
2025-0450
3 Sep 2025
South Wales Central
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Wales prevention of future deaths reports
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The CIWA protocol is too blunt and lacks nuance for elderly or delirious patients, leading to risks of over-sedation due to clinicians applying it without adequate guidance.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE will reconsider its guideline on alcohol-use disorders, with the prioritisation board looking at the topic again in approximately February-March 2026 to determine if any changes are needed, including pharmacological treatment for acute alcohol withdrawal.
Liliwen Thomas
All Responded
2025-0352
8 Jul 2025
South Wales Central
Child Death
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Wales prevention of future deaths reports
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Over-administration of analgesia during labour rendered the mother comatose, masking labour progression, and current national guidelines lack explicit detail on safe analgesia levels and supervision.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE will consider updating the recommendations in its guidelines on inducing labour (NG207) and intrapartum care (NG235) regarding the frequency of clinical assessments before active labour, and the use of combination therapies for pain relief.
Aaron Atkinson
All Responded
2025-0329
30 Jun 2025
Derby and Derbyshire
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Community health care and emergency services related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There is a concern that specialist services may not consistently retain responsibility for, or adequately monitor, the physical health of patients for at least 12 months after initiating antipsychotic medication.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE clarifies that the Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS) are not NICE guidance, and that NICE guidance and prescribing information for risperidone does not include a requirement for continued ECG monitoring. However, the publishers of the CKS will make some changes to ensure it is clear where ECG monitoring is required. The ICB will review the investigation from the practice, await the NICE response, update the JAPC guideline and medicines management webpage, and share lessons learned and guidance updates with primary care clinicians and across relevant networks, and support service links with colleagues.
Jacqueline Potter
All Responded
2025-0200
24 Apr 2025
Somerset
Mental Health related deaths
Suicide
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Families of psychiatric patients on leave are not provided with codified risk and safety plans. Furthermore, secure unit Wi-Fi lacks filters, allowing vulnerable patients access to self-harm websites, increasing suicide risk.
Noted
(AI summary)
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust has developed supportive guidance for families regarding Section 17 leave from inpatient units, which is currently out for feedback and will be shared at an operational meeting for approval. They also describe planned training for mental health staff on menopause. NHS England acknowledges concerns about menopausal care and highlights increased awareness and demand. They describe training programmes, awareness sessions and e-learning packages that have been launched, some since Anne's death, to improve resources for healthcare practitioners. NICE expresses condolences and states that the concerns raised are not directly attributable to NICE but are addressed to other organizations. They reference existing NICE guidance and quality standards related to suicide prevention and menopause, and indicate that the menopause guideline was recently updated and will remain under surveillance. The RCOG extends condolences and recognises the concerns raised, highlighting that management of the menopause is covered in the core training curriculum for Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, including a Special Interest Training Module and the Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Kenny & Murphy Ltd sold the incident site in March 2024 and has no influence over tenants there. However, they have discussed electrical safety with tenants at their other sites and provided them with relevant leaflets and documents.
Alonzo Wood
All Responded
2025-0152
18 Mar 2025
West Sussex, Brighton and Hove
Child Death
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Clinicians lack clear guidance on managing abnormal antenatal CTGs, specifically regarding decisions and timing of delivery, leading to inconsistent reliance on individual clinical judgment.
Noted
(AI summary)
The RCOG acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding the lack of guidance on managing abnormal antenatal CTGs, emphasizes the need for individualised care plans and refers to NHS England guidance on computerised CTG use. NICE acknowledges the coroner's concerns and will consider reviewing the evidence on antenatal CTG interpretation and actions, and will work with others to see if they can produce a practice guide to inform practitioners.
Chloe Burgess
All Responded
2025-0121
4 Mar 2025
Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The severe interaction between amitriptyline, paroxetine, and ivabradine is poorly understood, not flagged by prescribing software, and prescribers lack full awareness, posing a significant toxicity risk.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding drug interactions in the death of Chloe Elizabeth Burgess, but states that the British National Formulary (BNF) is best placed to address these concerns, as NICE only makes the BNF available on their website but does not control its content. The Royal College of Physicians notes the concerns and will discuss this case at their next Patient Safety Committee and Joint Medicines Safety Working Group to explore whether further action should be taken.
Amelia Ridout
All Responded
2025-0077
7 Feb 2025
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Child Death
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of national guidelines and standardized procedures for bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy, coupled with no database for recording outcomes, suggests inconsistent practice and missed learning.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NHS England will investigate the evidence to understand the potential root cause, for example, are there any training and / or supervision issues associated with BMA and trephine biopsy. They will also review relevant national guidance and understand how this translates into local policies. NICE has offered to work with the British Society for Haematology (BSH) on the development of a good practice paper for bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy. NICE's prioritisation board could then consider any new recommendations made by the BSH guidance and whether they require updates to existing guidance or development of new NICE guidance on this topic if this is considered appropriate. The British Society for Haematology is planning to gather data, review literature, develop a national guideline for bone marrow biopsy methodology including training and competency assessment, improve consent processes, explore a complications registry, establish an audit process and name the recommended method 'Millie's method'.
Thomas Kingston
All Responded
2025-0007
7 Jan 2025
Gloucestershire
Suicide
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There are concerns about adequate communication of suicide risks associated with SSRI medications and the appropriateness of continuing or switching them when ineffective or causing adverse effects.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE is working collaboratively with the MHRA on the issues raised and will provide a further response once that work has concluded; the outcome will inform any action NICE may need to take in respect of its recommendations. The MHRA outlined existing warnings and guidelines related to SSRIs and suicidal behavior, referencing NICE guidance, and added the adverse reaction report to the Yellow Card database. The Royal College of GPs provides general comments on GP curriculum, shared decision making, NICE guidance and its Mental Health toolkit, but notes no specific changes it will make.
Nicolette McCarthy
All Responded
2024-0650
22 Nov 2024
East Sussex
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Mental Health related deaths
Suicide
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The NHS smoke-free policy on mental health wards may increase self-harm risk by exacerbating mental distress and forcing patients into unsupervised smoking areas, potentially leading to unnoticed disappearances and suicides.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England acknowledges concerns about smoke-free policy application in mental health settings but refers to existing NICE guidance and states that individual NHS Trusts are responsible for local implementation. They also note that regional colleagues are seeking assurances from the relevant system regarding local arrangements. NICE acknowledges the concerns but states that the issues raised regarding national policy contradictions are outside their remit and best addressed by NHS England and the CQC. They highlight their guideline NG209 on tobacco dependence. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns regarding the smoke-free policy's impact on mental health inpatients and refers to the legal requirement for smokefree hospital premises. They expect NHS organisations to support patients who smoke through cessation measures or safe leave arrangements, and note that NHS England will address concerns around national guidance.
Imogen Heap
All Responded
2024-0620
8 Nov 2024
Blackpool & Fylde
Alcohol, drug and medication related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There is a persistent under-appreciation of the severe risks posed by elevated Propranolol levels, a drug widely prescribed for anxiety, particularly in young people.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE will review the evidence and consult with experts to consider updating guideline CG113 regarding recommendations on propranolol for the treatment of anxiety.
Audrey Lambert
All Responded
2024-0600
5 Nov 2024
Manchester South
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
There is no national guidance for primary care clinicians to assess prolonging anti-coagulation for immobile elderly patients post-discharge, leaving them at risk of fatal DVT.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE will review its guidance on stopping and starting VTE prophylaxis to see if an update is warranted, potentially covering the management of people with immobility if there is sufficient evidence.
Brian Beer
All Responded
2024-0564
21 Oct 2024
Suffolk
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
NICE guidelines on post-hip fracture anti-coagulation may be outdated, potentially increasing the risk of arterial clots due to hypercoagulability after stopping VTE prophylaxis in elderly, immobile patients.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the coroner's concerns regarding arterial thrombus but clarifies that existing guidance focuses on venous thromboembolism and does not cover arterial prophylaxis. NICE will continue to monitor new evidence in this area.
Megan Williams
All Responded
2024-0518
30 Sep 2024
Central and South East Kent
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Deficiencies included unrecorded critical symptoms, poor clinician knowledge of the Acute Abdominal Pain Pathway, a flawed Serious Incident process, and a lack of clear self-discharge procedures.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the concerns raised but does not consider any actions from NICE would address the issues. NHS England states that the concerns are local issues for the Trust to address, but that regional colleagues are engaging with the ICB and NHS England will review the Trust's response; also describes national work on PFD reports. East Kent Hospitals is reinforcing the Acute Abdominal Pain Pathway (AAPP) through monthly teaching sessions and case discussions. The AAPP document includes updated patient risk assessment, and the Hospital Discharge and Criteria to Reside Policy was updated to include a checklist for self-discharge.
Kasey Beech
All Responded
2024-0473
29 Aug 2024
London Inner (South)
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The current STREAMing guidance's focus on chest pain in emergency assessments may delay recognition of other life-threatening conditions, risking sudden patient deterioration.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England states that they do not endorse a particular STREAMing model nationally and that the STREAMing pathway in use by Medway Maritime Hospital does not have an undue prioritisation of chest pain and that the pathway would likely not have altered the outcome of the initial assessment in this case. They also note that all reports are reviewed by the Regulation 28 Working Group. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine states that they are unable to comment on the specific concerns raised as they are unfamiliar with the STREAMing model and notes existing guidance and work with NHS England on initial assessments. NICE acknowledges the concerns but states that the issues raised are outside of their remit, as they relate to a system produced by NHS England.
Jeffrey Marshall
All Responded
2024-0450
13 Aug 2024
Surrey
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of national guidance on when to recommence anticoagulation after a traumatic head injury and no requirement to discuss risks with patients creates uncertainty and impacts informed decision-making.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England acknowledges the coroner's concerns but states that NICE is the appropriate body to provide clinical guidance. NHS England will review NICE's response and consider any resultant actions, while noting the need for individualised care in such cases. They are also gathering information on a delay in reporting a CT scan result. NICE acknowledges the lack of specific guidance on restarting anticoagulants after traumatic intracranial haemorrhage. NICE will consider the issues raised through their guidelines surveillance process and discuss a consensus statement with relevant specialist societies.
Sasha Drysdale
All Responded
2024-0384
18 Jul 2024
Manchester South
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Further research is needed to confirm or refute whether Clozapine materially increases the risk of patients developing certain blood cancers, given international study suggestions.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the concerns regarding clozapine and blood cancers but states that the MHRA is the responsible body for medicine regulation and safety. NICE welcomes any findings that may impact its current recommendations and advice. Viatris states its clozapine product is safe when used as prescribed and that ongoing monitoring shows no change in the benefit risk profile, so no action is proposed. Response text consists only of A6 and A7. Response contains no text.
Ruth Eggleton
All Responded
2024-0354
3 Jul 2024
Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire
Other related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The absence of an evidence-based protocol for managing Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) and alternative anticoagulants has led to inconsistent clinical practice, risking patient safety.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the lack of evidence for specific DOAC reversal protocols and states that clinical judgement is required. They reference existing guidance on head injury and andexanet alfa, and commit to monitoring new evidence.
Lilly Proctor
All Responded
2024-0237
1 May 2024
West Yorkshire (Eastern)
Child Death
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of child-specific screening tools and NICE guidance for pulmonary thromboembolism in the UK disadvantages clinicians, potentially leading to missed diagnoses and treatment delays in children.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE will consider the issues raised in the report through its prioritisation board to determine if guidance should be developed in this area; decisions will be published on the NICE website. RCPCH has shared the report with its Emergency Care Committee to inform its review of Emergency Care Standards, will incorporate learnings into relevant courses, and will share information and suggestions for local improvement via its patient safety portal and the RCPCH Clinical Quality in Practice Committee.
Nuliyati Businje
All Responded
2024-0441
23 Apr 2024
Cheshire
Hospital Death (Clinical Procedures and medical management) related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
DVT risk assessment tools inadequately assess mobile or psychiatric patients, and clinicians lack awareness that observations can normalise despite a persistent clot, leading to missed diagnoses and increased VTE risk.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE acknowledges the concerns and explains its guideline on venous thromboembolism risk assessment, noting that it does not recommend a particular risk assessment tool and that clinicians should choose a tool that best fits the patient's clinical circumstances. The Department of Health and Social Care will work with NHS England to consider the VTE risk assessment tool, in light of the concerns raised.
Michael Briggs
All Responded
2024-0208
18 Apr 2024
Derby and Derbyshire
Other related deaths
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Dentists in England and Wales face limited and conflicting guidance on antibiotic prophylaxis for patients at high risk of infective endocarditis, leading to inconsistency and potential patient harm.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
NICE has committed to review the current evidence relating to prophylaxis against infective endocarditis this financial year to determine whether any new information supports a further update of existing NICE guidance.