New Agreement Between CQC and the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB)

CQC and the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB) have published a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement.

The agreement sets out how we will work together to promote the safety and wellbeing of people receiving NHS care in England.

The HSIB was established in April 2017 to conduct independent investigations into patient safety concerns in NHS-funded care across England. They make recommendations aimed at improving healthcare systems and processes and direct those recommendations to relevant organisations with power to make improvements.

The formal agreement between both organisations is underpinned by the following principles:

• Respecting each other’s independent status
• Cooperating in an open and transparent way
• Making decisions based on promoting people’s safety and encouraging high quality care.

In line with these principles, the agreement confirms that we will share information about the safety and quality of NHS services and evidence of safety risks or emerging themes that may indicate wider safety issues. We will also cooperate on national safety reviews and work together in the public interest to support improvement.

In addition to ongoing liaison between the two organisations, CQC’s Chief Executive and HSIB’s Chief Investigator meet at least once a year to discuss arising themes around the safety of healthcare and how both organisations can continue to co-operate to promote the safety and welfare of patients.

The agreement will be regularly reviewed to make sure it is relevant, up to date and effective.