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Your search has returned 97 resultsTrust carried out proper investigation into care home resident’s unexplained fracture
We concluded that the investigation by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust followed all relevant guidelines, but asked it to remind staff of the importance of routinely consulting the GPs of vulnerable adults when carrying out future investigations.
Patient's eye surgery delayed by Trust's failings
We recommended that the Northern Health Trust apologise to a complainant after our investigation found failings in the care and treatment of her baby son and its handling of a Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) investigation.
Trust should have carried out MRI scan on patient with back pain
A patient was in pain for longer than necessary because of delays by the Belfast Trust to obtain the results of a private MRI scan.
A Patient Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland
Ombudsman Margaret Kelly has called for patients to be given a central role in shaping safety protocols within Northern Ireland's health service.
Speaking yesterday (20 March) at a conference on patient safety, Ms Kelly asked the Department of Health to take the lead in creating a comprehensive framework that empowers patients and fosters a culture of safety and accountability.
With a keynote address from Sir Robert Francis KC (Chair of the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust inquiries, 2010 and 2013), the conference brought together a range of voices and expertise to explore potential strategies and approaches to improving patient safety and public trust in our health and social care system.
Ms Kelly stated:
‘Complaints, patient feedback, and raising concerns have proven to be a reliable indicator of safety issues. Patients must be central to any solutions to improve patient safety. Our investigation work highlights a culture that is sometimes defensive rather than open with patients, and which does not always use complaints as an opportunity to learn and prevent future harm. We hope this conference will mark a step towards ensuring that patient perspectives are not only heard but actively incorporated into the fabric of healthcare policies and practices.
A Patient Safety Strategy setting out how our health system is prioritising safety and involving patients in the process would provide reassurance and help build public trust in a health system that is committed to being patient centred.’
A report from the conference will be published in the near future.
Good records management
Public bodies should be transparent. They should record the criteria for decision making and give reasons for their decisions.
This was the message given by Ombudsman Margaret Kelly and Deputy Ombudsman Sean Martin at a recent talk given to an event held in the Public Records Office Northern Ireland.
While people don't generally complain about poor record keeping, explained Ms Kelly, a significant proportion of those cases going to the Ombudsman's Further Investigation stage uncover issues with record keeping. This often can be an indicator of other underlying problems.
Stressing how good records protect everyone, both urged members of staff working in public bodies to record their rationale when making key decisions. This not only helps others within the public body but can act as a 'shield' if those decisions are questioned at some point in the future.
Quarterly Bulletin - March 2024
Our Quarterly Bulletin highlights some of our most recent investigation reports and provides other updates on our work.
Easter Holidays
Please note, our Office is closed to the public on Good Friday, Easter Monday, and Easter Tuesday.
Our phone lines are open on Good Friday, but will be closed on Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday.
Our online Complaints Form is available throughout the Easter break.
Trust failed to explain reasons for not carrying out Serious Adverse Incident investigation
A woman whose father died in Causeway Hospital after removing his oxygen mask believed he should have been monitored more closely. She also questioned why the Trust did not commission a review into the incident.
Trust failed to explain reasons for not carrying out Serious Adverse Incident investigation
A woman whose father died in Causeway Hospital complained that staff should have monitored him more closely.
Read our full investigation report here.