PSIRF is a key deliverable in the NHS Patient Safety Strategy following publication of its accompanying guidance in August 2022. This initiative aims to improve understanding of safety through insights garnered from patient safety incidents, transforming the approach to reviewing and enhancing patient safety.  

Health Innovation South West’s Patient Safety Collaborative efforts have focused on working in partnership with various stakeholders, including Integrated Care Board patient safety teams, Patient Safety Specialists, Patient Safety Partners, regional NHS England patient safety teams, service users and individuals with lived experiences of safety incidents, as well as the NHS England PSIRF implementation team, to support implementation and transition to PSIRF. 

Activities undertaken encompass a range of engagement events and approaches such as webinars, peer support sessions, in-person events, and PSIRF plan writing sessions. Looking ahead, the focus lies on supporting organisations to embed PSIRF in line with its core principles of compassionate engagement, system-based learning, proportionate responses, and supportive oversight, all aimed at strengthening patient safety across the NHS.  

Support will be delivered through coaching approaches and quality improvement methodologies, to help organisations transition from learning to improvement, implement measurement for improvement strategies, and assessing the impact of PSIRF. This ongoing commitment reflects a dedication to fostering a culture of learning and improvement to ensure safe and effective patient care.