Independent investigation: Mike Bithrey, Bridgwater (2012)

The trust should put steps in place to ensure that all relevant information about a service user is shared (even if consent is not granted) with someone who is a known risk from that service user.

The trust should ensure that there are steps in place so that relevant staff in older person’s services are able to gain advice and guidance from forensic services when needed.

The trust should put steps in place to ensure that a discussion with the person using mental health services takes place to find out if they want their family, carers or friends to be involved in their care. Such discussions … Read more The trust should put steps in place to ensure that a discussion with the person using mental health services takes place to find out if they want their family, carers or friends to be involved in their care. Such discussions should take place at intervals to take account of any changes in circumstances, and should not happen only once. If consent is refused, advice should be sought as to what action can be taken without releasing confidential information. Show less

The trust should carry out an audit to ensure that accurate records are kept of all clinical reviews including the people present, the discussions and the outcomes of reviews.

The trust should have a clear process in place to ensure that the victims of serious incidents and their families are supported and involved in the trust internal investigation. As a minimum the trust should ensure that the victim’s family: … Read more The trust should have a clear process in place to ensure that the victims of serious incidents and their families are supported and involved in the trust internal investigation. As a minimum the trust should ensure that the victim’s family: • are provided with and consulted on the terms of reference of the trust internal investigation; • know how they will be able to contribute to the process of investigation; and • receive a copy of the trust investigation report in a timely manner without the families having to write to the trust to ask for information. Show less