Risk management
Risk management FAQs
A key function for the NHSLA, as set out in our Framework Document, is to “contribute to the incentives for reducing the number of negligent or preventable incidents”. We aim to achieve this through an extensive risk management programme.
NHSLA standards and assessments
The core of our risk management programme is provided by a range of NHSLA standards and assessments. Most Healthcare organisations are regularly assessed against these risk management standards which have been specifically developed to reflect issues which arise in the negligence claims reported to the NHSLA. There is a set of risk management standards for each type of healthcare organisation incorporating organisational, clinical, and health & safety risks:
In addition, there is a separate set of clinical risk management standards for NHS maternity services.
NHS organisations which provide labour ward services are subject to assessment against both the NHSLA Acute (or Community) Standards and CNST Maternity Standards.
The following manuals contain the risk management standards for assessment from 1 April 2012:
All the NHSLA Standards are divided into three “levels”: one, two and three. NHS organisations which achieve success at level one in the relevant standards receive a 10% discount on their CNST and RPST contributions, with discounts of 20% and 30% available to those passing the higher levels. The CNST Maternity Standards are also divided into three levels and organisations successful at assessment receive a discount of 10%, 20% or 30% from the maternity portion of their CNST contribution.
Organisations at level 1 are assessed against the relevant standard(s) once every two years and those at levels 2 and 3 at least once in any three year period, although organisations may request an earlier assessment if they wish to move up a level. Organisations that drop to Level 0 or fail to attain Level 1 will be placed under improvement measures and must undertake a Level 1 assessment within six months of the date of their unsuccessful assessment. Organisations which fail an assessment and fall to Level 1 or 2 are required to be assessed at the level assigned in the following financial year.
All assessments take place over two days and are carried out on behalf of the NHSLA by Det Norske Veritas Ltd., who are responsible for much of the day-to-day administration of our risk management programmes. Details of the assessment levels achieved by healthcare organisations are updated monthly in our Factsheet 4.
Evidence Templates have been developed to facilitate the assessment process. A completed evidence template must be completed and submitted by each organisation undergoing assessment. The evidence templates are also designed to allow organisations to conduct a self-assessment, are used by assessors to record their scores and findings, and enable the organisation to prepare an action plan.
For 2011/12 four separate Evidence Templates are provided as follows:
For 2012/13 there are three separate Evidence Templates and Guidelines to help organisations use them:
There is a Handbook of supporting information e.g. references, in relation to the NHSLA risk management standards.
The NHSLA has also created a number of template documents designed to assist organisations in developing their own local policies, procedures etc. Use of these template documents is entirely optional.
Learning opportunities
As part of our risk management work the NHSLA provides a range of learning opportunities to help healthcare organisations achieve compliance with the NHSLA standards.
Presentations from recent events are available.
Working with other organisations
We work closely with a range of other organisations concerned with healthcare standards and the safety of patients and NHS staff.