Fragmented NHS record access and information sharing
Failures to share patient records and clinical information between NHS providers, including at transfer, discharge, and across organisational boundaries, leading to fragmented care and patient safety risks.
43 items
1 source
11 inquiries
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Fragmented NHS record access and information sharing has been flagged across 1 independent accountability source:
43 inquiry recs
This theme has been identified in one data source. As more data is added, cross-references may emerge.
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Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Inquiry Recommendations (43)
R2 — Coroners to send post mortem reports to consultants
Recommendation: We recommend that in every case Coroners should send copies of post mortem reports to any consultant who has been involved in the patient's care prior to death whether or not demanded under Rule 57 of the Coroner's Rules 1984 …
Gov response: The report makes 12 detailed recommendations to tighten procedures to safeguard children in hospital. I have instructed immediate action to be taken on the 11 that are my responsibility. The Home Secretary has accepted the …
Accepted in Part
R93 — Regional service map with vacancies
Recommendation: There needs to be a clear regional view of all services available in the community, especially given the variety of services and providers of services now available. The service map recommended in 2022 must be regularly updated to reflect available …
Response Pending
R24 — Clear records and disclosure policies
Recommendation: Policies must be specific as to records to be kept and for routes to disclosure for relevant family members and people with learning disabilities and autistic people themselves where possible.
Response Pending
R13 — Full staff access to care plans
Recommendation: All staff involved in delivering care, including healthcare assistants (HCAs), must have full access to the care plan.
Response Pending
45 — Local diocesan information sharing protocols
Recommendation: The Church of England, the Church in Wales and statutory partners should ensure that information-sharing protocols are in place at a local level between dioceses and statutory partners.
Gov response: On 29 March 2021, a joint response from the National Safeguarding Steering Group, the House of Bishops and the Archbishops' Council stated that it would develop template information-sharing agreements which may be adapted and used …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
44 — Church of England/Wales information sharing protocol
Recommendation: The Church of England and the Church in Wales should agree and implement a formal information-sharing protocol. This should include the sharing of information about clergy who move between the two Churches.
Gov response: On 24 June 2021, the Church of England announced that the updated version of the House of Bishops' handling of Clergy Personal Files policy covers data sharing between the Church of England and the Church …
Accepted
32 — Send internal safeguarding reviews to national body
Recommendation: If religious organisations have undertaken internal reviews or enquiries into individual safeguarding incidents, their findings should be sent to the national review body (set up under the Children and Social Work Act 2017).
Gov response: On 27 June 2019, the Church of England stated that its National Safeguarding Team would liaise with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel to ensure that 'the right cases' are reported to them in accordance …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
COVID-M4.4 — Proportionate Access to Linked Healthcare Records
Recommendation: The UK government and devolved administrations should work together, with their respective health delivery services, to facilitate and coordinate regulatory bodies' access to healthcare records in order to make the post-authorisation safety monitoring of new vaccines and therapeutics more efficient. …
Gov response: No formal response published by this government.
Unknown
SP50 — Healthcare trust risk information visibility
Recommendation: The Department of Health and Social Care / NHS England should ensure that all healthcare trusts involved in the care of children and young people who are at risk of acts of violence against others have systems that ensure that: …
Gov response: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England are the lead organisations. Progress and next steps: - The Single Patient Record is currently being designed and scoped. - This is part of …
Accepted
In progress
R6 — Sickness records available to occupational health
Recommendation: We recommend that the possibility be reviewed of making available to Occupational Health departments any records of absence through sickness from any institution which an applicant for a nursing post has attended or been employed by (para 5.5.14).
Gov response: Guidance on occupational health is to be issued shortly which will cover all these recommendations. Together with the English National Board's new guidelines, this guidance will establish better procedures for selection of student nurses for …
Accepted in Part
SP54 — National guidance on SMART action points
Recommendation: Nationally, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England should consider whether nationwide guidance should be issued on the importance of action points from all relevant meetings involving healthcare agencies, discharge plans and management plans after risk assessments …
Gov response: The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England are the lead organisations and expect to complete the implementation of this recommendation by 31 March 2027. Progress and next steps: - DHSC and …
Accepted
In progress
SP53 — GMMH and Alder Hey joint SMART audit
Recommendation: At the local level, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust should by no later than 13 October 2026 carry out and report on a joint audit to ensure that for cases involving …
Gov response: DHSC has limited powers to direct NHS Foundation Trusts to implement recommendations 51 and 53. The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has written to Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and …
Accepted
In progress
COVID-M3.4 — Data Systems for High-Risk Individuals
Recommendation: The UK government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive must ensure that health data and digital systems have the capability to identify individuals at high risk of morbidity or mortality from a pandemic disease quickly and accurately in …
Gov response: No formal response published by this government.
Unknown
LAMI-73 — Require inquiry and review of previous hospital admissions for suspected deliberate harm.
Recommendation: When a child is admitted to hospital and deliberate harm is suspected, the doctor or nurse admitting the child must inquire about previous admissions to hospital. In the event of a positive response, information concerning the previous admissions must be …
Unknown
12b — Information sharing between providers
Recommendation: We recommend that if the healthcare professional also works at another provider, any concerns about them should be communicated to that provider.
Gov response: Accepted in principle. Government supports principle of sharing concerns between employers. CQC registration conditions require providers to share relevant information. GMC guidance requires doctors to disclose concerns about their practice. NHS England working with independent …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
F244 — Common information practices shared data and electronic records
Recommendation: There is a need for all to accept common information practices, and to feed performance information into shared databases for monitoring purposes. The following principles should be applied in considering the introduction of electronic patient information systems: Patients need to …
Gov response: The government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" …
Accepted
F120 — Learning and information from complaints
Recommendation: Commissioners should require access to all complaints information as and when complaints are made, and should receive complaints and their outcomes on as near a real-time basis as possible. This means commissioners should be required by the NHS Commissioning Board …
Gov response: The government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" …
Accepted in Part
F36 — Use of information for effective regulation
Recommendation: A coordinated collection of accurate information about the performance of organisations must be available to providers, commissioners, regulators and the public, in as near real time as possible, and should be capable of use by regulators in assessing the risk …
Gov response: The government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" …
Accepted
F35 — Need to share information between regulators
Recommendation: Sharing of intelligence between regulators needs to go further than sharing of existing concerns identified as risks. It should extend to all intelligence which when pieced together with that possessed by partner organisations may raise the level of concern. Work …
Gov response: The government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" …
Accepted
SP31 — Response officer access to case information technology
Recommendation: 1. Lancashire Constabulary should ensure response officers have access to effective technology providing clear, essential case information. 2. The National Police Chiefs’ Council, College of Policing and Home Office should review whether current policing information systems, particularly the limitations on …
Gov response: The Home Office is the lead department for central government and has completed the recommended review. Progress and next steps: - The Home Office, jointly with the National Police Chiefs' Council and the Association of …
Accepted
In progress
IBI-7f(iii) — Blood Tracking Systems Funding
Recommendation: Establishing the outcome of every transfusion: That funding for the provision of enhanced electronic clinical systems in relation to blood transfusion be regarded as a priority across the UK.
Gov response: UK Government Implementing these sub recommendations is particularly challenging and requires substantial investment, as it involves working across the four nations and with multiple system partners. To support an effective long term implementation plan that …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-7f(ii) — NHSBT Transfusion Outcome Funding
Recommendation: Establishing the outcome of every transfusion: To the extent that the funding for digital transformation does not already cover the setting up and operation of this framework, bespoke funding should be provided.
Gov response: UK Government Implementing these sub recommendations is particularly challenging and requires substantial investment, as it involves working across the four nations and with multiple system partners. To support an effective long term implementation plan that …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-7f(i) — Transfusion Outcome Framework
Recommendation: Establishing the outcome of every transfusion: That a framework be established for recording outcomes for recipients of blood components. That those records be used by NHS bodies to improve transfusion practice (including by providing such information to haemovigilance bodies). Success …
Gov response: UK Government Implementing these sub recommendations is particularly challenging and requires substantial investment, as it involves working across the four nations and with multiple system partners. To support an effective long term implementation plan that …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(vi) — Commissioning Hepatology Services
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Those bodies responsible for commissioning hepatology services in each of the home nations should publish the steps they have taken to satisfy …
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(v) — Consultant Hepatologist Access
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Those who have had Hepatitis C which is attributable to infected blood or blood products should be seen by a consultant hepatologist, …
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(iv) — Fibroscan for Liver Imaging
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Fibroscan technology should be used for liver imaging, rather than alternatives
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(iii) — Uncertainty About Fibrosis
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Where there is any uncertainty about whether a patient has fibrosis they should receive the same care
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(ii) — Specialist Hepatology Centre Access
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Those who have fibrosis should receive the same care
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted in Part
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-6a(i) — Hepatologist Oversight and Fibroscan Access
Recommendation: All patients who have contracted hepatitis via a blood transfusion or blood products should receive the following care: Those who have been diagnosed with cirrhosis at any point should receive lifetime monitoring by way of six-monthly fibroscans and annual clinical …
Gov response: UK Government We accept this recommendation but will balance its implementation against NHS England’s role to promote equitable access for all, the principle that patients should receive the same treatment irrespective of how the disease …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
BRIS-18 — Provide parents of young children with copies of all inter-professional healthcare letters
Recommendation: Parents of those too young to take decisions for themselves should receive a copy of any letter written by one healthcare professional to another about their child’s treatment or care.
Unknown
BRIS-17 — Ensure patients receive copies of all inter-professional letters about their care
Recommendation: Patients should receive a copy of any letter written about their care or treatment by one healthcare professional to another.
Unknown
IHRD-47 — Post-Mortem Reporting Standards
Recommendation: In providing post-mortem reports pathologists should be under a duty to: (i) Satisfy themselves, insofar as is practicable, as to the accuracy and completeness of the information briefed them. (ii) Work in liaison with the clinicians involved. (iii) Provide preliminary …
Gov response: Post-mortem reporting standards updated in line with these requirements.
Accepted
IHRD-46 — Clinician Attendance at Post-Mortem Discussions
Recommendation: Where possible, treating clinicians should attend for clinico-pathological discussions at the time of post-mortem examination and thereafter upon request.
Gov response: Guidance issued on clinician attendance at clinico-pathological discussions.
Accepted
IHRD-27 — Electronic Patient Information Systems
Recommendation: Electronic patient information systems should be developed to enable records of observation and intervention to become immediately accessible to all involved in care.
Gov response: Electronic care record and digital health programmes progressing across Northern Ireland.
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IHRD-11 — Patient Transfer Protocol
Recommendation: There should be protocol to specify the information accompanying a patient on transfer from one hospital to another.
Gov response: Transfer protocols developed and implemented across HSC Trusts.
Accepted
F123 — Responsibility for monitoring delivery of standards and quality
Recommendation: GPs need to undertake a monitoring role on behalf of their patients who receive acute hospital and other specialist services. They should be an independent, professionally qualified check on the quality of service, in particular in relation to an assessment …
Gov response: The government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" …
Accepted
IBI-7b — Transfusion 2024 Review Progress
Recommendation: Review of progress towards the Transfusion 2024 recommendations: Progress in implementation of the Transfusion 2024 recommendations be reviewed, and next steps be determined and promulgated; and that in Scotland the 5 year plan is reviewed in or before 2027 with …
Gov response: UK Government Progress against Transfusion 2024 recommendations has been initially reviewed jointly by NHS England and NHSBT and a wider four nations stakeholder review is being scheduled. The draft report was discussed with key stakeholders …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-7a(iii) — Transfusion Performance Benchmarking
Recommendation: Consideration be given to standardising and benchmarking transfusion performance between hospitals in order to deliver better patient blood management
Gov response: In relation to the recommendation on standardising and benchmarking, a review of current benchmarking practices and associated data collection and ongoing intelligence and analysis requirements, including model health dashboard and national clinical audit, has been …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-4c(ii) — Safety Management Systems Coordination
Recommendation: Regulation: That the national healthcare administrations in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales explore, and if appropriate, support the development and implementation of safety management systems (“SMS”s) through SMS coordination groups (as recommended by the HSSIB), and do so as …
Gov response: UK Government In relation to Recommendation 4c) ii., DHSC agrees that it is important to explore approaches for enhancing the safety of services. In 2023, NHS England established an SMS coordination group with partners from …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
IBI-4c(i) — Simplify External Regulation
Recommendation: Regulation: That external regulation of safety in healthcare be simplified. As a first step towards this, there should be a UK wide review by the four health departments of the systems of external regulation, with the aim of addressing all …
Gov response: UK Government In relation to recommendation 4c) i. the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care asked Dr Penny Dash to conduct a review of patient safety in the health and care landscape. The …
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs
BRIS-19 — Require effective communication among healthcare professionals to avoid conflicting patient advice
Recommendation: Healthcare professionals responsible for the care of any particular patient must communicate effectively with each other. The aim must be to avoid giving the patient conflicting advice and information.
Unknown
1 — Single consultant data repository
Recommendation: We recommend that there should be a single repository of the whole practice of consultants across England, setting out their practising privileges and other critical consultant performance data – for example, how many times a consultant has performed a particular …
Gov response: Accepted in principle. The government is improving data flows to CQC and GMC to give them better oversight of consultants' full scope of practice. NHS England is developing a workforce repository and working with partner …
Accepted in Part
AC-2b — Share Clinical Assessor Advice
Recommendation: In respect of any case in which the advice of a clinical assessor has been given, in relation to the person concerned (and no more widely except with the consent of that person): that person should be told the factual …
Gov response: The remaining 11 recommendations focus on IBCA delivery. Further detail on these will be set out by IBCA in due course.
Accepted
No update 2+ yrs