This page is part of the wider ‘Aspects of previous patient safety alerts that should inform broader local safety initiatives’ set of webpages.

Improving incident reporting

Past alerts asked for a range of actions related to general patient safety reporting and medicines and medical device reporting. Current reporting requirements for NHS-funded services are encompassed by the NHS Standard Contract and resources to support improvements in the quality of reporting can be found on the NHS England website. The NHS England link, rather than past alerts, should be used as the source for current incident reporting requirements.

Nominated safety officers/safety specialists

Past alerts asked for named medication safety officers and medical device safety officers, the identification of which remains an enduring standard. Subsequently, the patient safety specialist role has been established. All three roles are vital and valued parts of the National Patient Safety Strategy. The formal requirements for patient safety specialists in NHS-funded services is encompassed by the NHS Standard Contract. Resources to support their delivery include:

• Medication Safety Officer Handbook: available via Specialist Pharmacy Service
• Medical Device Safety Officer Handbook: only available via the MDSO forum (additional information on the MDSO network can be obtained by contacting safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk)
• Patient safety specialists.

These links should be used as the source for requirements of provider and commissioner organisations to establish these specific safety-related roles.

Additional information on the MDSO network can be obtained by contacting safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Go back to the main ‘Aspects of previous patient safety alerts that should inform broader local safety initiatives’ webpage.