2008 versions of the following NHSLA risk management standards manuals are now available:

The June 2008 pilot version of the revised CNST Maternity Clinical Risk Management Standards has now been released.

The standards have undergone significant change.  They comprise of new risks and old risks carried forward from the previous standards, all of which have been included on the basis of literature searches, the analysis of assessment and claims data, recommendations from national reports, and extensive stakeholder consultation.  Like the previous standards, there are three progressive levels but the lower levels will no longer be reassessed as maternity services progress through the standards.

During the summer a series of workshops are being held to introduce maternity services to the pilot CNST maternity standards.  The workshops will provide delegates with an opportunity to review the revised manual and hear how assessments will be conducted.  A booking form and sample programme for the workshops can be found under the Events section of the website.  

Throughout 2008/09 the NHSLA will continue to consult with stakeholders to ensure that the standards are appropriate and contemporary.  Pilot assessments against the revised standards to test the validity of both the standards and assessment process will be conducted at volunteer organisations between September and November 2008.  The standards and assessment process will then be revised to reflect the lessons learned from the consultation exercise and pilot assessments.  A final version of the CNST maternity standards will be issued in March 2009 for formal assessment in 2009/10.

The NHSLA risk management Handbooks are now available for the following:

• Acute Trusts
• Ambulance Trusts
• Mental Health & Learning Disability Trusts
• Primary Care Trusts

The following new template risk management documents have been added to the website:

• Policy for the observation of service users (MH & LD)
• Policy for the management of the conveyance of patients (Ambulance)
• Policy for the management of clinical diagnostic tests or screening procedures (PCT)

In addition, the following documents have been updated:

• Policy on procedural documents
• Policy for the management of stress

A full list of the template risk management documents which have been created to provide organisations with a framework within which to develop their own policies, procedures etc. to support best practice and assist in complying with the NHSLA standards is available.  Use of the template documents is entirely optional.

Additional template documents will be developed and released as soon as they are ready.

A flyer listing the dates and locations of the workshops which will be provided during 2008 on the NHSLA risk management standards and booking forms for most of the events are available under the events section of the website.