Serious Clinical Incident

AIMS Journal, 2010, Vol 22 No 1

A Serious Clinical Incident (SCI) is defined as 'any unintended or unexpected incident which could have harmed or did lead to harm for one or more patients being cared for by the NHS.' Forcing a woman in advanced labour to travel across country when she had booked a home birth, and expected a midwife to attend, is a Serious Clinical Incident and it should be reported. The Trusts, however, do not see it this way. It is, therefore, important that you make a report yourself.

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) collects and analyses information on patient safety incidents in the NHS. It then makes recommendations to reduce the risk of patient safety incidents. The NPSA can be contacted via its website:

http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/report-a-patient-safety-incident/

Alternatively you can write to NPSA directly or telephone the Helpline on 0845 601 3012 and state that you are a patient who wishes to report a Serious Clinical Incident.

Tip: if you take a camera or video camera to hospital and you have issues with your care, photograph or film your notes in case you wish to complain. AIMS is hearing from women who are having difficulty getting copies of notes. If you video conversations, you may find that attitudes towards your care or tricky situations change.