Groups to facilitate engagement amongst practitioners who work within the NHS Wales Putting Things Right sector have been in place for a number of years. The Welsh Risk Pool Safety and Learning Networks were Since the concept of the Safety and Learning Networks developed in 2018, the forums have gone from strength to strength. Wales has a proud history of collaboration amongst the health bodies within its NHS. Networking is a key aspect of this and there have been successful Networks previously within the patient safety and claims sectors. There are also a number of service-related clinical Networks which offer collaboration and sharing to its participants. The Safety and Learning Networks build on this robust and effective background.
The cohort of Safety and Learning Networks provide a solid framework for engagement and collaboration, helping organisations to achieve consistency and improve compliance with PTR requirements.
A review in 2023, in line with adjustments to the national governance structures for NHS Wales, concluded that the basis of the Safety and Learning Networks is sound and that organisations appreciate the support that the forums offer. A new Safety and Learning Network associated with the introduction of the Duty of Candour was introduced in 2023 which supported organisations to prepare for and implement the new duty. This network continues to support organisations in their delivery and meeting the reporting requirements of the duty of candour.
Co-Chairing a Safety and Learning Network is an excellent development opportunity for staff within health bodies and the Network Co-Chairs Group has been formed to enable sharing of information across the forums and to promote consistency.
Safety and Learning Networks have been established within topic areas where a benefit is anticipated.
Each network has developed a work plan with key aims identified which are linked to local and national safety and learning priorities to enhance the output from each network. Details of the workplans and discussions on delivery of the aims facilitated via the Network Co-Chairs’ meeting and feed into the all-Wales Listening and Learning Group (LLFG), which is a national group that coordinates activity of Health Bodies in response to the Welsh Government commissioned report by Keith Evans “The Gift of Complaints”. The Head of Patient Experience (HOPE) Network also provides an oversight and advisory role to the cohort of Safety and Learning Networks.
The work of each Network is steered by the Welsh Risk Pool Committee. Any national group or body can ask a Network to consider a piece of work or project in its workplace – which can include the HOPE Network, the Board Secretary’s Group, the Executive Director of Nursing Forum, the Listening and Learning from Feedback Group and the Once for Wales Concerns Management System Programme Board or Steering Group. Fig.18 outlines the relationships across the Networks.
The HOPE Network is a key group of senior leaders and includes staff with the Senior Investigation Manager role outlined in the PTR Regulations within their portfolio. It holds Formal and Informal meetings. Formal HOPE meetings include invitations to representatives of national groups (such as Welsh Government, Welsh Risk Pool and NHS Executive) and are intended to provide a platform for organisations to seek views and shape recommendations on policy strategies. Informal HOPE meetings have a section for health body members and excludes the Facilitator and representatives of national groups - enabling a supportive framework to the Network members and provide a safe space for discussion and help members to coordinate their local activities.
The Safety and Learning Networks are involved in and have keys stakeholder roles in projects such as;
The Safety and Learning Network meetings remain extremely popular with members and attendance levels are excellent. The Welsh Risk Pool leadership team regularly receive compliments and thanks for providing the network process. As a result of the success of the Safety and Learning Network the WRP have been approached to support the development of a new Safety and Learning Network for Mortality reviews. This network will hold its inaugural meeting in August 2024.