2021
PFD Reports
Reports: 419
Areas: 62
83% response rate (above 63% average).
Richard Boateng
All Responded
2021-0335
28 Sep 2021
South London
College of Policing
London Ambulance Service
NHS England
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Untrained non-clinicians are triaging urgent GP calls without guidance, ambulance service protocols for inter-agency information sharing are unclear, and police lack practical guidance for safely conveying patients in emergencies.
Noted
(AI summary)
The College of Policing acknowledges the concerns and refers to existing APP guidance on dynamic risk assessment. The NPCC will discuss ambulance availability with colleagues and the NPCC First Aid Forum will consider practical advice to forces. The London Ambulance Service has issued staff bulletins for frontline and control room staff detailing actions for 'no trace' calls, and is updating policies OP14 and OP23 to include a step-by-step process. Policy OP14 is expected to be finalised by the end of 2021, and OP23 in early 2022. NHS England details existing guidance, clinical safety officer forums, and hazard logs for digital triage. They also highlight that practices should not rely on online access for all clinical triage.
Antony Schofield
All Responded
2021-0324
27 Sep 2021
Manchester City
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Tr…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate risk assessments, poor communication during patient transfer, and a lack of professional curiosity by community mental health staff led to missed opportunities to address escalating suicidal risk, compounded by poor audit and flawed investigation.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust has updated its process for obtaining staff statements following a Serious Incident, and has addressed factual inaccuracies with the RCA investigation author. They ensure all Serious Incidents are reviewed by a team supported by a Patient Safety Practitioner and that the final draft is shared with senior managers.
Hamish Howitt
All Responded
2021-0320
23 Sep 2021
West Sussex
Avon and Somerset Police
College for Policing
Home Office
+1 more
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Police officers, lacking medical training, failed to ensure an injured, seemingly inebriated person was taken to hospital, leading to a missed traumatic brain injury. Training needs to mandate hospital referral for such individuals.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
The Home Office has consulted with the College of Policing and NPCC, and the College will address the coroner's concerns about police first aid training through its formal governance routes. Avon and Somerset Constabulary circulated a memorandum to all officers with guidance on head injury risk, sent guidance to first aid trainers, and added guidance to first aid training modules. They also incorporated training on head injury response into Taser, Public Safety, and Public Order training, all completed in October 2021. The College of Policing and NPCC will raise concerns about alcohol's impact and head injury assessment in first aid training at the next First Aid Forum meeting in December to assess feasibility of addressing them within the FALP licence scope. The College is also reviewing high-level learning outcomes within the FALP to emphasize life-saving elements, considering acute alcohol intoxication, intentional overdoses, and extending head injury learning to Module 2.
Charlie Todd
All Responded
2021-0318
21 Sep 2021
County Durham and Darlington
HMP Durham
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of supervisory oversight, inadequate staffing, and a manual, untracked system for hourly checks in the SACU led to incomplete observations and a failure to ensure prisoner safety.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
HMP Durham has provided additional officer and administrative resources to the Separation and Care Unit (SACU). A "Know Your Job" sheet will be provided to staff working on the unit, and a SACU pilot will consider operational processes and health support.
Uyapo Theodore Hayunga-Macha
All Responded
2021-0314
20 Sep 2021
Liverpool and Wirral
Cheshire Wirral Partnership
North West Ambulance Service
Wirral University Teaching Hospital
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A mentally unwell patient left the emergency department unattended while awaiting triage, raising concerns about inadequate supervision and leaving vulnerable individuals unwatched during assessment.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Following an investigation into a patient death, the trust has developed and delivered an action plan addressing failures in mental health pathway commencement, risk assessment, triage delays, recognition of high-risk patients, and implementation of missing person policy; additionally, a Mental Health Transformation Group has been established. The Trust is participating in the Wirral University Teaching Hospital's Mental Health Transformation Group, addressing mental health strategy, escalation processes, training on the Mental Capacity Act, paediatric mental health, and contract monitoring.
Heike Mojay-Sinclare
All Responded
2021-0313
17 Sep 2021
Derby and Derbyshire
Department for Transport
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Lack of mandatory standards and inspection for river ford depth gauges, combined with poor inter-agency information sharing on previous incidents, creates significant safety risks, especially with increasing severe rainfall.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for Transport clarified that local authorities are responsible for hazard signage and highway maintenance, and that existing guidance is available but not mandatory.
Maya Zab
All Responded
2021-0316
16 Sep 2021
West Yorkshire Western
Department of Health and Social Care
NHS England
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The report notes an increased incidence of severe nutritional anaemia in children in the Yorkshire & Humber region in 2020, potentially linked to factors arising indirectly from the pandemic such as reduced consultations, limited social contact, and widening socio-economic inequalities.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England is integrating care with a focus on addressing inequalities and supporting vulnerable children and families, and will work to raise the profile and uptake of the Healthy Start programme which is in the process of transferring from paper vouchers to digital cards. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns, states that national data does not show a significant increase in diagnoses of iron deficiency anaemia, and outlines existing schemes such as the Healthy Child Programme and Healthy Start scheme aimed at promoting healthy diets. They do not plan to introduce new policies specifically targeting nutritional anaemia.
Chloe English
All Responded
2021-0317
15 Sep 2021
West Yorkshire Western
Calderdale Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Existing suicide prevention measures at a known high-risk location proved ineffective, as the deceased was able to jump within minutes of arrival, indicating current safeguards are insufficient.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Calderdale Council installed anti-climb mesh, steeple coping, and Samaritan signs on North Bridge in 2019 and improved CCTV coverage. Following a death at the bridge, temporary fencing was installed, a suicide prevention group was convened, and a design for further safety measures costing £1.5M has been agreed with Historic England.
Siwan Smith
All Responded
2021-0306
14 Sep 2021
Gwent
Taff’s Well Medical Centre
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Medical centre reception staff failed to adequately assess a distressed patient's urgent mental health needs, not providing an emergency appointment or clinical callback, raising concerns about future risk to patients.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The practice has implemented pop-up alerts for patients with mental health history, prioritizes appointments for patients with mental health concerns, and uses the e-consult platform to assess mental health risk.
Barry Martin
All Responded
2021-0302
10 Sep 2021
Manchester South
Jigsaw Homes Tameside
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Following forced police entry, an occupied house was left with its main exit boarded up and the secondary exit unusable, creating a significant fire safety risk by denying residents alternative escape routes.
Noted
(AI summary)
Jigsaw Homes Tameside states that its technician checked for alternative exits before boarding the door and the tenant had keys to the rear door.
Kenneth Audsley
All Responded
2021-0303
9 Sep 2021
West Yorkshire (East)
Hirst Electrical Plant Hire Services UK…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lethal gas risk in transformers was unrecognised due to inadequate warnings, missing manufacturer guidance on safe oil levels, and lack of recommended maintenance.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Hirst Electrical has prohibited employees from removing lids from potentially energized transformers, added warning stickers to transformers and breather lines, and amended documentation sent to customers to include test sheets, standards, and warnings about carbon monoxide.
Joshua Sahota
All Responded
2021-0301
9 Sep 2021
Suffolk
Department of Health and Social Care
Hellesdon Hospital
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Mental health wards fail to effectively communicate "restricted items" policies to families, leading to inadvertent rule breaches and hindering family support for patient safety.
Noted
(AI summary)
Hellesdon Hospital has implemented a complete ban on plastic bags, improved communication to families and carers, and put safeguards in place to disrupt the passage of restricted items. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the concerns, mentions actions taken by the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, points to a safety alert published in 2011, and outlines progress in reducing suicides.
Maureen Johnson
All Responded
2021-0298
7 Sep 2021
Manchester South
National Institute for Health and Care …
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of authoritative national guidance for assessing gastroenteritis, dehydration, and the need for face-to-face reviews in patients over 70 poses a risk.
Noted
(AI summary)
NICE states they have a Clinical Knowledge Summary on gastroenteritis, which they believe gives appropriate advice, and that no action is required of them.
Joseph Dent
All Responded
2021-0297
6 Sep 2021
County Durham and Darlington
Durham County Council
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A bridge's design provides easy access to parapets and lacks effective suicide prevention measures like adequate barriers, monitoring, or detection for at-risk individuals.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Durham County Council is undertaking detailed work on the possibility of mounting an additional fence to the face of the Newton Cap Viaduct, including assessments of traffic impact, listed building consent, planning consent and a full design and approval process. They are sourcing an external consultant versed in ‘designing out suicide’ to progress next steps and assessing the potential for lighting and CCTV. A Suicide Prevention Reference Group has been initiated to project manage the work.
Glenda Logsdail
All Responded
2021-0295
6 Sep 2021
Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes University Hospital, Chie…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
A lack of awareness of capnography guidance, failure to confirm ETT placement, diagnostic fixation, and an inhibitory hierarchy led to chaotic team malfunction during a critical emergency.
Noted
(AI summary)
Milton Keynes University Hospital outlined actions taken, including managing involved individuals, sharing resources, implementing the Association of Anaesthetists Quick Reference Handbook, and standardising monitor configuration across theatres. They are also working to improve teamwork, communication, and safety culture across multidisciplinary teams. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), in collaboration with the Association of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airway Society (DAS), will address issues through a coordinated campaign to disseminate and embed lessons learned into practice, including developing resources for multidisciplinary team training, working with stakeholders to highlight human factors, and spreading key messages through journals, newsletters, social media, and educational events. The Department of Health expresses condolences and notes actions taken by Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Royal College of Anaesthetists. They highlight national initiatives such as simulation-based training and equipment standards, but describe no specific new actions. They have brought the report to the attention of the CQC and HSIB. The Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), the Association of Anaesthetists and the Difficult Airway Society launched a coordinated campaign including a dedicated webpage, educational talks, articles in members' magazines, and social media promotion to disseminate learning points from the case. They will develop more resources for multidisciplinary team training and maintain work to prevent unrecognised oesophageal intubation through the Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group.
Bituin Pimlott
All Responded
2021-0293
6 Sep 2021
Greater Manchester South
NHS England
Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Pandemic-driven telephone consultations for mental health prevented comprehensive assessments, and GPs lacked clear guidance on when to refer patients to crisis teams.
Noted
(AI summary)
Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group states that face-to-face GP consultations are available where clinically appropriate or requested. They have re-circulated information sheets detailing referral options to GP practices and delivered presentations on suicide prevention. The practice involved in the case has completed a reflection exercise. NHS England acknowledges concerns about telephone consultations and referral guidance, referencing existing national guidance on safety netting. They note the local CCG has provided a separate response detailing relevant information and steps taken, and do not propose responding further on a national level.
William Buchanan
All Responded
2021-0300
1 Sep 2021
Dorset
Department of Health and Social Care
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Elderly individuals can acquire mobility scooters without any assessment of their suitability or competence to use them, posing a significant safety risk.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for BEIS acknowledges the report but asserts that existing product safety regulations are adequate for mobility scooters. They argue that placing an obligation on individuals to undertake an assessment before purchasing specific products would be disproportionate and propose that no further action is taken.
John Humphries
All Responded
2021-0291
1 Sep 2021
South London
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate skin integrity assessments occurred in A&E for prolonged stays, and staff failed to seek external professional advice for managing patient resistance to turning.
Action Planned
(AI summary)
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust has created an action plan to address concerns including improving skin integrity assessments in A&E, improving staff knowledge to manage patients diagnosed with Dementia on the ward and communication about Pressure Ulcer initiatives. Quality / comfort rounding is being carried in the emergency department.
Hazel Wiltshire
All Responded
2021-0290
1 Sep 2021
South London
Princess Royal University Hospital
Concerns summary (AI summary)
The matron was unaware of response time data from the call bell system, staffing levels were inadequate due to higher patient dependency with Covid, and no falls risk assessments were completed on any of the three wards the patient stayed on.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
King's College Hospital is replacing its call bell system, providing additional staff training including a mandatory 'back to basics' manual handling training session, and delivering focussed work on falls prevention. The Trust's Harm Free Care Forum has been reconvened to champion falls prevention.
Ann Geraghty
All Responded
2021-0288
27 Aug 2021
Birmingham and Solihull
Philips Electronics UK Ltd
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Cardiac monitors' alarms self-terminate upon rhythm correction, failing to alert staff to serious, self-resolving events like ventricular standstill, and the manufacturer has not provided a solution.
Disputed
(AI summary)
Philips Healthcare investigated the reported incident and concluded that the device operated per specification, that there is not a configuration available to enable asystole or any other red arrhythmia alarm to self-terminate, and that termination of asystole or other red arrythmia alarm with the current configuration requires end user intervention. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust will provide refresher training to nursing staff on the alarm systems, explore altering the software configuration with Philips, and explore the retention of trace logs locally for an extended period.
Elaine Inns
All Responded
2021-0285
26 Aug 2021
Greater Manchester South
Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Powerful painkillers, including liquid morphine, were continued despite known significant alcohol use and the patient's non-adherence to dosage instructions, posing a significant risk.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
The Stockport CCG reports that the GP practice involved had already undertaken a detailed significant event analysis. The practice has changed its administrative process to refer all out of hours correspondence for patients with a safeguarding alert to GPs for review within 48 hours, and has provided staff training focused on opiate prescribing and identification of patients at risk.
James Golds
All Responded
2021-0284
26 Aug 2021
Greater Manchester South
Ministry of Communities, Housing and Lo…
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Inadequate guidance exists for managing fire risk in supported accommodation for vulnerable residents, exacerbated by no statutory sprinkler requirement and ineffective smoke detector placement.
Noted
(AI summary)
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities references existing building regulations, guidance, and the role of fire and rescue authorities, but does not commit to further action.
Peter Harte
All Responded
2021-0283
24 Aug 2021
Birmingham and Solihull
Bromford Lane Nursing Home
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Proper skin inspections and monitoring were not consistently carried out or adequately recorded, indicating a possible systemic issue with record-keeping that could pose a risk to frail and vulnerable residents.
Action Taken
(AI summary)
Bromford Lane Care Centre reports that all staff have been spoken to and have received feedback and support to improve the service provided. Following this review, they have had an external auditor come and audit their body maps to ensure that they are being completed accurately.
Maurice Leech
All Responded
2021-0279
23 Aug 2021
Greater Manchester South
Department of Health and Social Care
NHS England
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Pandemic-era telephone consultations and unsupported solo hospital visits for a vulnerable patient led to missed physical examinations and incomplete information. There is no specific NICE guidance for elderly femur fracture management.
Noted
(AI summary)
NHS England and NHS Improvement references existing guidance for telephone consultations, safety measures, and pain management of fractures; they indicate learning from the death will be shared. The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges concerns raised, explains changes to general practice during the pandemic, and highlights existing NICE guidance and resources for remote consultations.
Norma Rushworth
All Responded
2021-0278
23 Aug 2021
Greater Manchester South
Greater Manchester Health and Social Ca…
NHS England
Concerns summary (AI summary)
Pandemic restrictions led to inadequate support for a vulnerable patient in outpatient settings and limited post-discharge monitoring, hindering accurate assessment and timely recognition of deteriorating health.
Noted
(AI summary)
Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership will present learning from the case to the Greater Manchester Quality Board, communicate advice and guidance to relevant providers, and share learning through governance and learning forums. NHS England expresses condolences, acknowledges the concerns, and highlights national guidance and resources for wound care and remote consultations, including the National Wound Care Strategy Programme.