Health Services Safety Investigations Body

We investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level.

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Latest investigation reports

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Sexual safety: the implications for patient safety

There is evidence of widespread sexism, sexual misconduct and harassment in healthcare. Between May and September 2024, we carried out exploratory work to consider the potential of conducting an investigation into patient safety risks associated with sexual safety.

Read the sexual safety report
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Creating conditions for the delivery of safe and therapeutic care to adults in mental health inpatient settings

The aim of this investigation was to examine what impacts on the delivery of safe and therapeutic care to adult patients in acute mental health inpatient settings. Part of our Secretary of State directed mental health investigations

Read the mental health report
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Recommendations but no action: improving the effectiveness of quality and safety recommendations in healthcare

Published by HSSIB and arm's-length body members of the Recommendations to Impact Collaborative Group, this report looks at how the effectiveness of quality and safety recommendations in healthcare can be improved.

Read the recommendations report

About us

We aim to be the global leader in professional, high quality healthcare safety investigations. We investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level. Our investigations do not find blame or liability with individuals or organisations. Information shared with us is confidential and protected by law.


We are a fully independent arm’s length body of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Find out more about us
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Investigations

We can investigate patient safety concerns that occur in England during the provision of healthcare services, and that have or may have implications for the safety of patients.

Our investigations can consider healthcare provided in the NHS and the independent sector. Where an investigation relates to an incident that did not occur in the NHS, we must consider whether NHS systems and practices could be improved because of our investigation.


We can also be directed to investigate a patient safety concern by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

More about our investigation process
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Education

HSSIB’s CPD accredited education programme is delivered by healthcare safety investigation experts.


We offer a range of courses to support development and help embed professional safety investigations across the NHS. For NHS staff in England, courses run online and are free of charge to attend.


Commercial courses are available to support those outside of the NHS in England.


Our flagship course – A systems approach to investigating and learning from patient safety incidents – launches new cohorts throughout the year. It's free of charge and open to all in healthcare, including those outside of the NHS.

Enrol on a course

News, events and blogs

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How HSSIB contributes to patient safety: a view from Australia

Professor Peter Hibbert from the Australian Institute of Health Innovation reflects on how HSSIB contributes to improved patient safety, plus our education offering and areas for improvement.
Read the full article
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Our response to the Care Quality Commission State of Care report 2023/24

Following the publication of the State of Care report, HSSIB’s Chief Executive, Dr Rosie Benneyworth says:
Read the full article
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Report emphasises importance of therapeutic care in mental health units and wards

We have published the first of our investigations into mental health inpatient settings and make recommendations to ensure that therapeutic care is a priority.
Read the full article