12 unexpected deaths listedamong ‘serious incidents’

The Trust told the Sentinel six serious incidents occurred at Altnagelvin, including the fire last year. The incidents were classed as “unexpected deaths;” “unexpected serious risk” to patients or staff; or “unexpected or significant threat” to health or care services. There were 12 deaths listed simply as the “unexpected/unexplained deaths of service users.”

Water leaks and burst pipes at hospitals were all deemed to have posed an “unexpected or significant threat” to the provision of service and the maintenance of “business continuity.”

Allegations of abuse of vulnerable adults posed an “unexpected serious risk” to staff or patients. One service user was also reported to have assaulted another and four medication incidents also posed risks.

Damage to Trust property, an attempted suicide and two clinical incidents were also reported to the HSCB.

“The Trust would advise that it has a robust SAI process in place to maintain and further strengthen the safety of services for patients, clients, staff and the general public.

“The reporting of incidents and near misses is a fundamental aspect of risk management, which contributes to the delivery of safe services. All SAIs are taken very seriously by the Trust and the public should feel reassured that the Trust has robust systems in place.

“Learning from SAIs is applied across all of the services to prevent any possible future reoccurrence and to minimise the impact of such incidents,” the Trust explained.