12 Mar 2007
DNV and NHSLA: A partnership for improving patient safety and managing risk
Rotterdam, 12 March 2007 – DNV has entered into a five year contract with the NHSLA (National Health Service Litigation Authority) to provide services for managing risk with effect from 1 April 2007.
In an effort to further develop its risk management programme, NHSLA has awarded DNV a contract to deliver risk assessment, standard development, training and helpdesk services to over 400 National Health Service (NHS) Trusts and more than 150 NHS maternity services in England.
The scope of work focuses on improving the safety of NHS patients and staff and thereby reducing the potential for litigation claims. An important aim of the NHSLA is to contribute to a reduction in the number of negligent, or preventable, incidents occurring within the Scheme Membership. It is essential, therefore, that there is an efficient process to reduce the potential for litigation claims and improve patient and staff safety. To meet this challenge the NHSLA needs a partner to deliver the Services effectively, in essence to:
• provide a robust framework to support the risk management activities of Scheme Members
• help improve the quality of patient care and staff safety and reduce the number and severity of adverse events
• add value both to the NHSLA and the Scheme Membership
According to a NHSLA spokesperson, the main aim of the partnership is to contribute to an improvement in risk management practices in the NHS and thereby support patient safety and the well-being of NHS staff. Given DNV’s core competence in managing risk, she believes DNV is well placed to ensure the continued development and delivery of the NHSLA risk management programme.
Mark Boult, DNV’s healthcare market leader commented that DNV will help the NHSLA achieve this by working in partnership, using a senior management team with considerable healthcare experience, together with innovative service solutions.
Patient safety is at the core of DNV’s risk management services for the health sector and the fondation is currently working with other NHS agencies and delivery organisations to support their activities in this area.
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Notes for editors
For more information contact:
Mark Boult, DNV ‘s healthcare market leader at mark.boult@dnv.com
Alison Bartholomew, risk management director, NHSLA at alison.bartholomew@nhsla.com
Facts about the NHSLA:
The National Health Service (NHS) is Europe’s largest employer with 1.3 million employees and provides the majority of health care in the UK. The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) is responsible for handling negligence claims made against NHS bodies in England. Litigation costs are funded through the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts. An important aim of the NHSLA is to contribute to a reduction in the number of negligent, or preventable, incidents occurring within the scheme membership.
Facts about DNV:
DNV is a global provider of services for managing risk. Established in 1864, DNV is an independent foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the environment. DNV comprises 300 offices in 100 countries, with 7,000 employees. DNV Industry is one of four business areas in DNV, alongside DNV Maritime, DNV Energy and DNV IT Global Services.
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