Patient dignity and privacy
Failure to ensure suitable arrangements are in place to consider and respect the dignity, privacy, and independence of people using care services.
74 items
1 source
10 inquiries
Strongest theme matches
Mixed across source types and ranked by classifier confidence plus text match strength.
Inquiry recommendation
86match
P2-22 - Independent sector SOPs for deceased patients
Independent sector healthcare providers should ensure that there are Standard Operating Procedures and policies in place to protect the security and dignity of any patients that die under their care. Wherever possible, deceased patients' rooms should be kept locked. Providers should also ensure that staff are aware of the need to protect the security and dignity of deceased...
Matched on
terms: dignity, patient
Inquiry recommendation
78match
P1-17 - Deceased treated with same dignity as patients
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must treat the deceased with the same due regard to dignity and safeguarding as it does its other patients.
Matched on
terms: dignity, patient
Inquiry recommendation
78match
P2-24 - Anatomical education security and dignity policies
All organisations providing anatomical education and training using donors should make sure that policies and procedures are in place to ensure the security and dignity of donors. These should include: security and access policies and the auditing of security and access measures such as swipe card access, CCTV and access to the locations where donors are kept; governance...
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
70match
P2-32 - Ambulance policies on deceased security and dignity
NHS ambulance services should also have policies regarding the security and dignity of the deceased, including when the deceased should be covered and/or secured. NHS England should monitor that such policies are in place.
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
65match
P2-33 - Ambulance photography policies
Every NHS ambulance service must put policies in place regarding taking photographs of deceased patients, including any circumstances in which this may be required, and ensure that ambulance staff are aware of these and comply with them.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
65match
P2-23 - Independent sector accompanied access to deceased
Independent sector healthcare providers should ensure that only people who have a legitimate reason to access a room that contains a deceased patient do so, even if they are staff members, and that they are always accompanied.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
65match
P2-5 - Operational barriers including device restrictions
All NHS trusts should consider putting in place systemic operational barriers that prevent the security and dignity of deceased people being compromised. An example of this would be implementation of a rule that prevents electronic devices such as phones or cameras being taken into a mortuary, other than for approved reasons.
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
62match
R85 - RQIA communication with patients
RQIA needs to spend proportionately more time talking to patients/residents, and its staff need to be trained in specific communication techniques such as Makaton and Talking Mats.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
61match
P2-43 - Local authority CCTV installation
CCTV must be installed inside the mortuary facing all doors and access points, the reception area and the doors of all fridges containing deceased people, including where these are accessible from within the post-mortem room. Local authorities must put appropriate safeguards in place to maintain the security and dignity of the deceased in relation to the monitoring of...
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
61match
P2-38 - Local authority lone working review
Where mortuary staff are permitted to work alone in the mortuary, there should be a review of lone working policies, including consideration of activities involving direct handling of the deceased, alongside mitigations that can be put in place to safeguard the security and dignity of the deceased, such as CCTV.
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
60match
P1-9 - CCTV in mortuary including post-mortem room
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must install CCTV cameras in the mortuary, including the post-mortem room, to monitor the security of the deceased and safeguard their privacy and dignity.
Matched on
terms: dignity, privacy
Inquiry recommendation
60match
AS-7 - Strip-Search Safeguards
Appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that minimum safeguards are in place where a detainee is to be strip-searched. These include informing a detainee as to the necessity for the strip-search and requesting his/her co-operation. Those conducting a strip-search should always bear in mind the need to respect the detainee's dignity, particularly having regard to any cultural...
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
57match
P2-49 - Local authority DI management and oversight review
There must be a review of the management and oversight arrangements for the mortuary service, taking into consideration who is appointed as the Designated Individual, their direct contact with the mortuary, level of influence within the local authority, and attendance at governance forums. In particular: Local authorities must ensure that the Designated Individual has enough time and resource...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
57match
P2-31 - Ambulance policy on crew position with deceased
Every NHS ambulance service should have a policy setting out where ambulance crew members should sit when conveying deceased patients. This should include reference to the risk of abuse of deceased patients, as well as training requirements.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
57match
P2-20 - Chief Nurse responsibility for deceased safeguarding
The remit of the Chief Nurse in NHS trusts should explicitly include executive responsibility for safeguarding the security and dignity of deceased people in NHS mortuaries and body stores.
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
57match
BRIS-102 - Ensure patients are informed about innovative procedures and clinician experience
Patients are always entitled to know the extent to which a procedure which they are about to undergo is innovative or experimental. They are also entitled to be informed about the experience of the clinician who is to carry out the procedure.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
57match
BRIS-16 - Empower patients to decline information, requiring skilled healthcare professional communication
Patients should be given the sense of freedom to indicate when they do not want any (or more) information: this requires skill and understanding from healthcare professionals.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
53match
BRIS-15 - Inform patients they can have a chosen person present when receiving information
Patients should be told that they may have another person of their choosing present when receiving information about a diagnosis or a procedure.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
53match
BRIS-13 - Provide patients with pre-procedure explanation and post-procedure review opportunity.
Before embarking on any procedure, patients should be given an explanation of what is going to happen and, after the procedure, should have the opportunity to review what has happened.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
52match
P2-2 - CCTV in all NHS mortuaries
All NHS trusts should install CCTV inside the mortuary, with cameras facing all doors and access points, the reception area and the doors of body fridges, while maintaining the security and dignity of deceased people by implementing the appropriate safeguards. Where double-ended fridges also open into the post-mortem room, NHS trusts should install CCTV cameras inside the post-mortem...
Matched on
terms: dignity
Inquiry recommendation
49match
P2-42 - Lock fridges and freezers at all times
Fridges and freezers containing deceased people must be locked at all times, with appropriate key security in place.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
49match
P2-27 - Hospice security and access controls
Hospices that care for deceased people on their premises should: introduce auditable access control of the area where deceased people are kept; have Standard Operating Procedures regarding the care of deceased people, including security of and access to the areas where deceased people are kept; and minimise unaccompanied access to areas where deceased people are cared for, wherever...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-51 - Local authority biennial audits and peer review
The mortuary service must be reviewed by professional auditors at least biennially, with the results of the audit reported to a formal committee regardless of the level of assurance. Local authorities must arrange a peer review of the mortuary service at least every three years.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-50 - Local authority mortuary as regulated service
The mortuary service must be treated in the same way as other regulatory services within local authority reporting structures: The mortuary must be visible to scrutiny at the relevant statutory committee, with regular reporting. Key performance indicators must be identified and must include the results of audits of compliance with Human Tissue Authority requirements. Inspections by the Human...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-48 - Local authority annual SOP and HTA audits
There must be audits of the mortuary Standard Operating Procedures and compliance with Human Tissue Authority requirements, undertaken annually as a minimum, with a clear record of authorisation by the Designated Individual, head of service or equivalent. Audits of staff compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures must be undertaken at least annually, with the results of the audits...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-44 - Local authority incident response SOPs
Arrangements for responding to incidents of unauthorised access must be reviewed and incorporated into Standard Operating Procedures.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-40 - Local authority strategic security review
Immediate steps must be taken to commission a specialist strategic review of the systems in place to protect the deceased, which should include a detailed risk assessment of the potential breaches of security that could occur. The review should include an assessment of: the systems in place to identify unauthorised access to the facility; the strength and effectiveness...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-39 - Local authority security audits
Routine and regular audits of security must be conducted, encompassing both access to and exit from the mortuary and movement within it, including the post-mortem room. Access data must be reconciled against CCTV footage. Audits must be reported to the Designated Individual and head of service or equivalent.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-37 - Local authority visitor supervision
Where people other than mortuary staff are visiting the mortuary during working hours, for example contractors, cleaners and other visitors: Access must be limited to specific areas required for the purposes of their work or visit. They must be supervised when working in areas where there is access to deceased people, for example in the fridge or post-mortem...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-36 - Local authority individualised access controls
Where unsupervised access is permitted for a legitimate and unavoidable purpose, there should be individualised electronic access controls to enter the mortuary and restrict access to specific areas of the mortuary, such as the post-mortem room. There should be a requirement to 'swipe to exit' to ensure that all activity is auditable. There should be no shared electronic...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-21 - NHS England incorporate deceased in safeguarding framework
NHS England should formally incorporate the safeguarding of deceased people into its safeguarding framework for NHS trusts.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-4 - End shared swipe cards
The practice of using shared electronic swipe cards for specific staff groups should cease immediately.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
45match
P2-3 - Audit access data for deceased storage
All NHS trusts should routinely audit the access data of all facilities used to store deceased people.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
44match
23 - National chaperone policy for healthcare (Wales)
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Welsh Government develops a national policy for the training and use of chaperones in the treatment of children in healthcare services. The Chair and Panel recommend that Healthcare Inspectorate Wales considers compliance with national chaperone policies (once implemented) in its assessments of services.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
44match
22 - National chaperone policy for healthcare (England)
The Chair and Panel recommend that the Department of Health and Social Care develops a national policy for the training and use of chaperones in the treatment of children in healthcare services. The Chair and Panel recommend that the Care Quality Commission considers compliance with national chaperone policies (once implemented) in its assessments of services.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
44match
P2-30 - Ambulance data on conveying deceased
Data on how often deceased patients are conveyed in ambulances, and the reasons for this, should be routinely collected and reported to NHS England, and monitored to assess risk.
Matched on
terms: patient
Inquiry recommendation
44match
P2-25 - Postgraduate training governance clarity
Postgraduate training providers using donors should ensure clarity in their governance and information-sharing, in particular where the providers are linked to both university and NHS settings. This clarity should include formal agreements, where relevant, including management, governance and Human Tissue Authority licensing arrangements for the organisations involved.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
41match
P2-56 - Unlicensed body stores follow same standards
Where local authorities provide an unlicensed body store, they should do so in line with this Report's recommendations to local authority providers of licensed mortuaries.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
41match
P2-47 - Local authority security breach investigation
There must be an investigation into the root cause of each security breach. Each incident, the investigation and action plan must be reported to director level within the local authority as a minimum. Serious security breaches must also be reported to the relevant cabinet member and/or committee of elected members.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
41match
P2-45 - Local authority single security SOP
All policies and procedures in relation to the security of the mortuary must be accurately and comprehensively reflected in a single security Standard Operating Procedure.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
41match
P2-41 - No reliance on keys/keypads alone
There must be no reliance on keys and keypad codes alone to secure access to the mortuary.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
41match
P2-35 - Local authority mortuary access review
There should be a process to routinely review who is permitted to access the mortuary unsupervised.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
40match
P2-46 - Local authority funding for security expedited
There must be a process to ensure that, where there is a requirement for funding to strengthen mortuary security, it is expedited and considered at the highest levels within the local authority.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
40match
P2-34 - Recommendations apply to independent ambulances
The Inquiry has focused its investigations into ambulance services on NHS ambulance services. However, the Inquiry considers that these recommendations could also be applied to independent ambulance services, including private ambulances.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
40match
P2-1 - NHS trusts commission specialist security review
All NHS trusts with mortuaries and/or body stores should commission a specialist strategic review of the systems in place to protect deceased people, which should include a detailed risk assessment of the potential breaches of security that could occur. The review should include an assessment of: the systems in place to identify any unauthorised access to the facility;...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
36match
P2-54 - Local authority contingent body storage plans
Local authorities providing a coroner service must review plans for the provision and operation of contingent body storage, in collaboration with local organisations providing mortuary services.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
36match
P2-52 - Share mortuary reports with coroner service
All relevant reports and incidents concerning the mortuary must be made known to the lead local authority manager for the coroner service (and the Senior Coroner if they wish to see these reports). Local authorities that are not the lead authority for the coroner service must also share these reports and incidents with the coroner service lead in...
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
36match
P1-2 - No deceased left out of fridges overnight
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust must assure itself that all regulatory requirements and standards relating to the mortuary are met and that the practice of leaving deceased people out of mortuary fridges overnight, or while maintenance is undertaken, does not happen.
Matched on
classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
32match
P2-55 - Unlicensed body stores prepared for HTA compliance
Local authorities providing an unlicensed body store must be prepared to comply with the Human Tissue Authority's standards and guidance where applicable, in the event that a Human Tissue Authority licence is required to enable activities outside Human Tissue Authority licensing exemptions.
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classifier match
Inquiry recommendation
32match
P2-53 - Local authority report implementation to committee
The implementation of these recommendations must be reported to the relevant statutory committee.
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classifier match