Family Involvement in SAI Investigations
Trusts should seek to maximise the involvement of families in SAI investigations and in particular: (i) Trusts should publish a statement of patient and family rights in relation to all SAI processes including complaints. (ii) Families should be given the opportunity to become involved in setting the terms of reference for an investigation. (iii) Families should, if they so wish, engage with the investigation and receive feedback on progress. (iv) A fully funded Patient Advocacy Service should be established, independent of individual Trusts, to assist families in the process. It should be allowed funded access to independent expert advice in complex cases. (v) Families in cases of SAI related child death should be entitled to see relevant documentation, including all records, written communication between healthcare professionals and expert reports. (vi) All written Trust communication to parents or family after a SAI related child death should be signed or co-signed by the chief executive. (vii) Families should be afforded the opportunity to respond to the findings of an investigation report and all such responses should be answered in writing. (viii) Family GPs should, with family consent, receive copies of feedback provided. (ix) Families should be formally advised of the lessons learned and the changes effected. (x) Trusts should seek, and where appropriate act upon, feedback from families about adverse clinical incident handling and investigation.
How was this assessed?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedFamily involvement protocols established. Guidance issued on meaningful engagement with families throughout investigation processes. Patient Advocacy Service being developed.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Family involvement protocols established with SAI rights statement developed. The SAI Engagement Platform provides a mechanism for ongoing engagement. However, a fully funded independent Patient Advocacy Service as recommended has not been clearly established.
View detailed findings
Recommendation 37 called for extensive family involvement in SAI investigations including a fully funded Patient Advocacy Service independent of individual Trusts. The Patient and Client Council provides advocacy services but whether a dedicated IHRD-specific advocacy service has been established is unclear from public sources. The SAI rights statement and engagement platform represent genuine but partial progress.