SFJ Awards launches new healthcare investigation qualification

SFJ AWARDS HAS BEEN WORKING ALONGSIDE LEEDS TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS TRUST TO DEVELOP A NEW LEVEL 5 QUALIFICATION IN INVESTIGATING SERIOUS INCIDENTS IN HEALTHCARE

Awarding organisation, SFJ Awards has released a new qualification that recognises the knowledge and skills required for healthcare professionals to conduct effective investigations in their workplace.

The development of the Level 5 Investigating Serious Incidents in Healthcare Qualification was led by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. It comes after the 2016 national review by the Care Quality Commission found that the NHS is missing opportunities to learn from patient deaths and that specialised training and support is not readily provided to staff completing investigations.

Representatives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Community Healthcare Trust, Hull & East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust formed a working group to develop the course which is now available nationally for quality assured centres to offer.

The qualification covers subject areas including the initial reviewing of an incident, investigative questioning and completing the investigation. Its introduction is intended to bring consistency to the investigative practices of healthcare organisations across the UK.

Louise Povey, Serious Incident Investigations and Learning Manager at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: “In many years of delivering investigation training, it has always been frustrating that there is a lack of consistency in how investigations are conducted across NHS Trusts. I am thrilled that a recognised qualification has now been developed by SFJ Awards in conjunction with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

“The qualification will enable healthcare staff to plan an investigation, conduct interviews with staff to identify the contributory factors and root cause and to make recommendations to reduce the risk of recurrence. This will provide a consistent standard, maximise learning opportunities and provide a professional framework for investigators when submitting reports to commissioners, Coroners Court, CQC and partner agencies.”

Adrian Jackson, Managing Director of SFJ Awards said: “SFJ Awards is delighted to be offering this important new qualification, providing a standard for all investigators to work to and our commitment to maintaining and improving investigation skills in this area.

“SFJ Awards would like to thank Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for leading this initiative and all of those involved for contributing to this development.”

Key points about the new Investigating Serious Incidents in Healthcare Qualification:

• Subject areas covered by the qualification are:
  • the principles of investigating serious incidents
  • the initial review of an incident
  • investigating a serious incident
  • investigative questioning and interviews
  • completing an investigation
• SFJ Awards will offer the qualification nationally, to maintain quality and consistency the qualification will only be available via selected quality assured centres.
• The qualification includes an assessment element; trainees must complete multiple choice tests and practical examinations during a real-time investigation

More information on the Investigating Serious Incidents in Healthcare Level 5 Qualification is available from the SFJ Awards website or through contacting an advisor at [email protected] or 0114 284 1970.