New Patient Safety Incident Response Framework

The new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework has been published, setting a new direction for how the NHS responds to patient safety incidents.

The PSIRF will replace the current Serious Incident Framework (2015).

The framework represents a significant shift in the way the NHS responds to patient safety incidents and is a major step towards establishing a safety management system across the NHS. It is a key part of the NHS patient safety strategy.

The PSIRF supports the development and maintenance of an effective patient safety incident response system that integrates four key aims:

1. Compassionate engagement and involvement of those affected by patient safety incidents
2. Application of a range of system-based approached to learning from patient safety incidents
3. Considered and proportionate responses to patient safety incidents
4. Supportive oversight focused on strengthening response system functioning and improvement

View the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework document and supporting guidance here.