PART 4The Health Services Safety Investigations Body

Investigations

I1111Deciding which incidents to investigate

1

The HSSIB’s function under section 110 includes determining which qualifying incidents it will investigate, subject to subsection (2).

2

The Secretary of State may direct the HSSIB to carry out an investigation of—

a

a particular qualifying incident that has occurred, or

b

qualifying incidents that have occurred and are of a particular description.

3

A direction under subsection (2) may specify the date by which the HSSIB must publish its final report (see section 113).

4

A direction under subsection (2)

a

must be in writing;

b

may be varied or revoked by subsequent directions;

c

may provide for a person to exercise a discretion in dealing with any matter.

5

Once the HSSIB has begun an investigation into a qualifying incident, it must, in such manner as it thinks appropriate, publish a statement which—

a

reports that it has begun the investigation,

b

contains a brief description of the incident, and

c

sets out, in general terms, the issues that the HSSIB expects to consider in the investigation.

6

The HSSIB may give advance notice of a statement under subsection (5) to any person the HSSIB considers may be affected by the investigation.

7

Where the HSSIB discontinues an investigation, it must, in such manner as it thinks appropriate, publish a statement which—

a

reports that it has discontinued the investigation, and

b

gives its reasons for doing so.

8

Where the HSSIB determines not to investigate a qualifying incident, it may give notice of its determination to any person the HSSIB considers to have an interest in the determination.

9

Notice under subsection (8) may include—

a

a brief description of the incident, and

b

the HSSIB’s reasons for not investigating it.