“Never Events” are defined by the NHS as “serious incidents that are wholly preventable because guidance or safety recommendations that provide strong systemic protective barriers are available at a national level and should have been implemented by all healthcare providers”.
Put simply, “never events” are largely preventable incidents which occur as a result of a failure to follow and/or implement the published guidance and safety recommendations by healthcare providers. “Never events” are considered a red flag and reflect poor practice and procedure within a Trust.
NHS England recently published “never event” statistics for the year 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024:
“Never Events” during that period fell into the following categories :
• Wrong site surgery – 179 incidents
• Wrong implant/prosthesis – 37 incidents
• Retained foreign objects post procedure – 81 incidents
• Administration of medication by the wrong route – 20 incidents
• Misplaced naso or oro gastric tubes – 22 incidents
• Overdose of insulin due to abbreviations or incorrect device – 10 incidents
• Overdose of Methotrexate for non-cancer treatment
• Transfusion or transplantation of ABO-incompatible blood components or organs – 10 incidents
Other “never events” recorded during that period were:
• Scalding of patients
• Mis-selection of a strong potassium solution
• Falls from poorly constructed windows
In April and May 2024, 51 “never events” were recorded in England and Wales.
There is no comparable data available in Northern Ireland but the same principles apply – “never events” reflect poorly on the healthcare trust involved and in most incidences will give rise to an action in litigation.
Worthingtons solicitors have a team of dedicated lawyers who specialise in a wide range of clinical negligence matters. If you or someone in your family has sustained an injury as a result of a “never event”, please contact Claire McDaid on 02890434015 email [email protected] to discuss.
028 9043 4015 