2025

Concerns summary Online suicide forums and social media platforms provided information on self-harm and misleading professionals, raising concerns about the adequacy of The Online Safety Act 2023 in preventing access to such harmful content.

Concerns summary Insufficient funding prevents the provision of urgent mechanical thrombectomy services between 4 pm and 8 am at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.

Concerns summary Officers chairing ACCT reviews at HMP Rochester failed to read all relevant documentation, leading to inaccurate risk assessments, and some did not understand how to properly complete support plan paperwork.

Concerns summary A national lack of knowledge and guidelines for Severe Invasive Soft Tissue Infections, combined with ineffective training and an absence of an audit trail for omitted medication doses, creates significant patient safety risks.

Concerns summary Probation staff lack access to specialist medical reports and adequate training on neurodiverse conditions, hindering effective supervision. A loophole also prevents unactioned court sentences from being referred back for review.

Concerns summary No formal process exists for prisons to share critical in-prison behavioural and mental health information with sentencing courts. Additionally, national guidance is lacking for ensuring continuity of care for released prisoners with mental health needs.

Concerns summary Level 2 EICO observation guidelines requiring a nurse to be within sight or sound were not met, as the patient's side room was too far. This lack of escalation and compliance likely contributed to an unwitnessed fall.

Concerns summary A significant delay in commencing CPR occurred due to a lack of shared understanding of its urgency and an uncoordinated response among detention officers and a nurse. No clear protocols define emergency roles.

Concerns summary Discharge decisions were made without essential multi-disciplinary meetings or consulting care coordinators, despite clear warnings of high suicide risk, indicating a systemic failure in communication and risk management.

Concerns summary Despite a known risk of ligature points on patient bedroom doors and identification of door top alarms as a solution, these crucial safety measures have not been implemented in a psychiatric unit for over 42 months.

Concerns summary The care home failed to promptly obtain prescribed antibiotics or seek medical care for a deteriorating resident, and could not demonstrate improved systems to prevent reoccurrence of this significant failing.

Concerns summary Delays in implementing a "Failed Discharge" policy mean patients are not being appropriately referred for specialist review, increasing risks of re-attendance and errors in emergency departments.

Concerns summary Insufficient street lighting and a lack of warning signs at a poorly marked 90-degree turn and dead-end contributed to a fatal road traffic accident.

Concerns summary Inadequate street lighting and missing traffic warning signs at a sharp turn towards a wall significantly contributed to a fatal road accident.

Concerns summary Peer Support for pilots is inadequate for severe mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, highlighting a lack of robust mental health support for escalating problems within the industry.

Concerns summary Greater Manchester Police significantly delayed classifying a death as a "Death or Serious Injury" incident, raising concerns about the quality of their internal review and learning from incidents.

Concerns summary The internal investigation was inadequate, and barriers exist to proper Mental Health Act assessments. There's poor information sharing between agencies regarding residents, and support workers require more focused mental health training.

Concerns summary A lack of guidance and power prevents police officers from ensuring medical attention for individuals suspected of swallowing drugs during a street search if not arrested, creating a critical gap in care compared to those in custody.

Concerns 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.

Concerns summary An ambulance crew failed to recognise a patient's critical deterioration into cardiogenic shock and incorrectly prioritised their backup request, resulting in a prolonged delay to definitive medical care.

Concerns summary Inadequate information was provided in a specialist referral, the hospital passport was unused, and a best interest decision failed to incorporate crucial input from long-term carers and social services.

Concerns summary Care home staff failed to recognise and appropriately act on serious mental health deterioration, made inaccurate records, and did not follow GP advice, compounded by inadequate post-death investigation and training.

Concerns summary Inaccurate care home records, failure to update falls risk assessments, and an inadequate post-falls investigation indicate a failure to learn from incidents and properly monitor patient deterioration.

Concerns summary The hospital lacks a system to provide written information or counselling to patients, or their families, about new drug side-effects, potential complications, or actions to take, including for those without capacity.