Sheffield Local Involvement Network

Earlier this year Sheffield LINk contacted all the local NHS trusts about outstanding patient safety alerts (PSAs), for example urgent measures to ensure the safe use of injectable medicines. NHS Trusts are supposed to report to a Central Alert System when the actions recommended by these alerts have been implemented. This implementation was a 'core standard' set by the Department of Health.

Sheffield LINk used our 'Request for Information' legal powers to demand an explanation and timescales for when they would comply. We were pleased with how quickly this was resolved once we became involved.  A recent follow-up report shows that the situation has vastly improved although Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust has still not confirmed compliance with seven alerts. We issued a new request for information to this trust on 13 August, which legally they were expected to respond to within 20 working days. After 24 days we received a response. We will keep you updated on developments.