If you are involved, directly or indirectly, in an adverse event, you should be supported. The national framework highlights the support your board should provide for you.
Psychological safety and reporting of adverse events
You can feel psychological, physical and emotional consequences from dealing with an adverse event. These can go on for a long time and have significant impact on your:
- work
- wellbeing
- health
- recovery
Boards should create an environment where you feel psychologically safe to report adverse events.
You should feel confident with the appropriate reporting and documentation your board has put in place for an adverse event.
Support for staff immediately following the event
You should speak to your line manager after an adverse event. They should provide immediate support for you. This support can include:
- providing emotional and physical support
- explaining the review process
- next steps
- understanding what immediate support you might need
If your line manager is unable to provide support, they should ensure that an alternative manager does so.
Adverse event review process
After and adverse event, a review will take place. Your manager should tell you about this.
You should be provided with support and information about the review process. This will include details on:
- scope
- purpose
- timescale
- staff contribution
You should be informed of the review in a respectful, compassionate and supportive manner.
Establishing expectations of staff and the organisation during a review
The adverse event review can take time. It is important that your expectations and the organisations are clear to both of you.
Your line manager should ensure that the purpose of the review is clear to you. It also allows you to be involved in the review in a more effective capacity. You should expect to be given continuous support for the duration of it.
Your input provides:
- essential evidence for the review team to understand why the adverse event has occurred
- an opportunity for your learning and quality improvement
When the review is complete, you should be able to review the report.
Understanding and reducing the impact of the adverse event on staff
You can be affected physically and psychologically by an adverse event. You may feel as though you have let the patient, team or organisation down. You should expect support, for as long as you need.
You can experience trauma following these types of adverse events:
- minor incidents
- near misses
- death
- major disability
Your boards should ensure that you have access to professional advice from:
- a relevant professional body
- a union
- employee assistance programmes
- staff counselling services
- occupational health
Providing you with the opportunity to talk to someone is important for your recovery.
Further information
For more information read the support for staff chapter in our national guidance.
If you need more urgent support, you should contact your board staff care services.