Patient Safety Investigation Response Framework (PSIRF)

To support the NHS to further improve patient safety, all NHS Trusts and providers are preparing for the introduction of a new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).

From 1 March 2024, the Trust  will begin to fully respond to patient safety incidents according to PSIRF following the completion of the required Patient Safety Response Plan (PSIRP) and Policy. We recognise and acknowledge the significant impact patient safety incidents can have on patients, service users, their families, carers and staff.

We will use a variety of ways to identify learning and make improvements following an incident where a patient or service user was or could have been harmed.

This is a major step towards establishing a safety management system across the whole of the NHS.

Aims of PSIRF

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

• Compassionate engagement and involvement of those affected by patient safety incidents
• The application of a range of system-based approaches to our learning from patient safety incidents
• Considered and proportionate responses to patient safety incidents
• Supportive oversight which focusses on strengthening responses and system improvements.

Our Patient Safety team and Patient Safety Specialists are leading the PSIRF implementation to make sure that our work links with the wider health and care system. We recently recruited two Patient Safety Partners (PSPs) which is a new and innovative role for the NHS to support our patient safety work by making sure the patient’s voice is heard throughout our processes.

Frequently asked questions