Being Open when things go wrong The Trust has implemented a policy on open communication with patients, families, carers and colleagues whenever a patient is harmed. The Being Open Framework is for use after any incident that results in moderate harm, severe harm or death to a patient. Its key elements are openness in communication, thorough investigation of the causes and identification of learning points and support for staff. Commitment to the Framework will help create an environment where patients, their carers and families receive the information they need to understand what happened and the reassurance that everything possible will be done to ensure that a similar type of incident does not occur and that patients, carers, families, healthcare professionals and managers feel supported when things go wrong. Being Open means: • Acknowledging, apologising and explaining when things go wrong. • Conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and reassuring patients, their families and carers that lessons learned will help prevent further incidents. • Providing support for those involved to cope with the physical and
Peaks Learning Team success The Peaks Learning Unit at Rampton Hospital has been shortlisted in the Most Improved Provider – WBL/ACL/Offender Learning category of the national Leading the Learner Voice Awards; recognising innovation, effort and action in supporting and promoting learners. Organised by the national Learning and Skills Improvement Service in partnership with the National Union of Students, the Leading the Learner Voice Awards attracted 96 entries nationwide this year. The awards highlight the role of thousands of learners and trainees who are actively engaged in contributing to the continuous improvement of their organisation. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London. Well done and good luck to the team.
psychological consequences of what has happened. Saying sorry is not an admission of liability and is the right thing to do. Patients have the right to expect openness in their healthcare. Openness also has benefits for healthcare professionals as it can help to reduce stress, alleviate the fear of being ‘found out’, and improve job satisfaction by: • Ensuring that communication with patients, families and carers has been handled in the most appropriate way. • Helping the healthcare professional develop a good reputation for handling a difficult situation. • Improving healthcare professionals’
understanding of incidents from the perspective of patients, families and carers. The Trust’s policy is supported by local procedures to ensure that it becomes fully embedded in the practice and culture of the organisation. A copy is available on the Intranet under Trust Wide Policies and Procedures – Risk Management – 15.11 Being Open When Patients are Harmed. Patients, families or carers may approach staff for a more detailed discussion or see the source document on the National Reporting and Learning Service website at www.npsa.nhs.uk.
WHO WE ARE... WE NEED YOU! You may have picked up this copy of the newsletter not knowing what Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust is. We provide integrated healthcare services including mental health, learning disability and community health services. We also manage medium-secure units in Leicester and Rotherham, and the high-secure Rampton Hospital near Retford.
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If you have any ideas or suggestions for the newsletter, please contact Suzanne Aitken in the Trust Communications Team on 0115 955 5403 or via email at suzanne.aitken@nottshc.nhs.uk We are always pleased to receive articles for possible publication, but ask that they do not exceed 300 words. If any individuals other than yourself are mentioned in what you write or featured in accompanying photographs, please make sure you check with them that they are happy to be potentially featured. Please note that the Communications Team has full editorial control and may have to edit articles appropriately. Therefore, if you want to see the final version please ensure you send your article in with plenty of time before the deadline and state clearly what you require.
If you would like copies of any past editions of Positive, or if you are having any ‘distribution issues’ with the newsletter – whether you’re receiving too many copies, too few, or none at all then please contact us. If you would like your story in the September issue of Positive, please contact us by 5 August 2011. However, due to space constraints we cannot guarantee the publication of all articles received by the deadline. Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, The Resource, Duncan MacMillan House, Porchester Road, Nottingham, NG3 6AA. Tel 0115 9691300 www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk