Learning from Deaths Policy
Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust believes that concentrating attention on the factors that cause deaths will impact positively on all persons who use services, reducing complications, length of stay and readmission rates through improving pathways of care, reducing variability of care delivery, and early recognition and escalation of concerns.
- Publication date:
- 31 January 2021
- Date range:
- January 2021- September 2022
9. Involving the family
9.1
The “Learning from deaths” Guidance for NHS Trusts on working with bereaved families and carers should be followed, which includes an expectation that Trusts should explain to the families of all deceased patients that they routinely carry out case note reviews on a proportion of all deaths.
9.2
Families and carers should be given information on how to raise concerns (see Concerns and Complaints Policy). These concerns should be addressed and, if new or additional concerns are raised by use of the Care Review Tool, the family should be informed. The decision on who will inform the family will be made in conjunction with the investigator, Mortality Review Manager and the care group Patient Safety and Risk Manager.
9.3
The SJR Tool has been designed to support Trusts in being able to respond to concerns from carers, families and staff about any aspect of the patient’s care. It is anticipated that the review will be completed by experienced staff with the relevant experience.
9.4
When families have raised concerns these concerns should be addressed and, if new or additional concerns are raised by use of the SJR Tool, the family should be informed.