Policy News - 20 January 2020

The following policies have recently been ratified by the Trust’s Policy Committee.   Please take the time to review those which may be relevant to your role.  

Hospital Discharge Policy

This policy applies to the discharge of all patients from hospital to home or another care setting except for those being discharged from the Emergency Departments or Maternity Services. It provides a framework for all staff employed by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust who are involved in discharge planning for patients admitted to an acute hospital bed. The policy must be read with the supporting SOPs which set out the operational processes to be implemented to provide operational guidance on the delivery of safe and effective discharge.

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Safety Alerts:  Dissemination, Implementation and Management Policy

The Central Alert System (CAS) is an electronic cascade system developed by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and now administered by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). CAS is the key means by which important safety and device alerts and notifications are communicated and disseminated within the NHS.  In addition to CAS, manufacturers may issue Field Safety Notices (FSN).  This policy provides a framework for a consistent approach for the management of alerts received through the CAS. It is important that all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities with regard to dissemination and actions required in complying with alerts.

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Being Open and Duty of Candour Policy

This policy provides a framework which supports an environment where patients, families, carers, and healthcare employees feel supported when things go wrong and have the confidence to act appropriately.  The policy sets out to embed Being Open principles, encompassing local requirements and detailing the process to follow in order to ensure compliance with the statutory requirements of Duty of Candour.

Advice is provided to support staff in achieving effective communication with patients, their families and carers. This advice is supported by evidence based research literature and experience out with the NHS.  The policy is applicable to all permanent, locum, agency, students, bank, contracted and voluntary staff

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Incident Investigation, Management and Learning Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide a clear framework for the investigation, management and learning from incidents.  The Trust promotes a positive, learning environment, which recognises that when things go wrong, in the vast majority of cases the cause lies with systems and organisational structures rather than with the individuals involved.  The emphasis, when things go wrong, should always be on learning from experience and being open and honest, whether that is with staff, patients, or external bodies such as commissioning organisations.   Investigating incidents provides valuable service improvement, risk management and patient safety opportunities for learning and change.  It is the responsibility of all staff to cooperate and participate fully during any investigation process. This also extends to locum and agency staff, honorary contract holders, contractors and volunteers.

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