Five senior health professionals have been appointed to lead Significant Adverse Event Reviews (SAER) in NHS Forth Valley.
They are:
- Dr Kate Patrick, Director of Medical Education
- Fiona McIntyre, Assistant Director of Pharmacy
- Dr Michael Moneypenny, Consultant Anaesthetist
- Dr Seonaid McCallum, Consultant Psychiatrist
- Dr Elizabeth Beattie, Consultant Anaesthetist
When a significant adverse event has occurred we need to determine what happened, why it happened and whether there are any learning points for the service, the wider organisation or nationally.
The team members are from a variety of specialties and their role includes leading the review of any adverse events within the organisation, developing the SAER report and making recommendations for any changes or improvements as a result of the adverse event. They also work closely with colleagues in Clinical Governance and representatives from clinical teams to help support local staff, patients and relatives.
It is hoped their appointment will promote the development of a just culture throughout NHS Forth Valley and continued high quality, safe care for our patients.
Here some of the team explain why they are looking forward to their new role.
Dr Elizabeth Beattie
“I am delighted to part of the new SAER team at FVRH. Since my appointment, I have reinvigorated our Anaesthetic and Theatre Department Morbidity and Mortality process and feel that there are many transferable lessons and skills from both the work I already do, but also from the exposure and training associated with undertaking SAERs. The opportunity to create a cohesive team of colleagues from many areas within the hospital with different background interests and skills is an exciting prospect that I feel very privileged to be a part of.
Fiona McIntyre
“I am passionate about patient safety and I’m an active member of a number of Medicines Governance committees in NHS Forth Valley – overseeing the safe introduction and use of medicines for patients. I am particularly interested in developing a whole system learning culture in relation to medication related incidents, including a refreshed approach to encourage reporting; multidisciplinary review and shared learning. The Gosport Independent Panel Report, published in 2018, made a lasting impression on me and it motivated me to focus on creating a safety culture where staff feel safe and supported to raise concerns. The opportunity to work within the organisation as a lead reviewer is a huge privilege”
Dr Michael Moneypenny
“I am interested in human factors ergonomics which has the twin aims of optimising system performance and personal wellbeing. I believe that a human factors ergonomics approach to investigating and learning from adverse events, without apportioning blame, will help to foster the right working environment for staff and the best place of care for our patients. I look forward to a proactive safety approach which aims to avoid, trap and mitigate harm. I’m always happy to chat about what the role involves, so please get in touch.”
