{"id":710062,"date":"2026-03-05T13:04:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T13:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emanaesthesia.org.uk\/staging\/?page_id=710062"},"modified":"2026-03-08T20:41:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T20:41:59","slug":"serious-untoward-incident-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/emanaesthesia.org.uk\/staging\/guidance\/serious-untoward-incident-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Serious Untoward Incident Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Supporting you after a serious incident<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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Overview<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Resident responsibilities<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Cons on call responsibilities<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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EMSA provides a recommended framework to support residents and trainers following a serious untoward incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going through a significant medical event can present both professional and emotional difficulties for resident doctors (RD). It’s essential to establish a well-organised support system to prioritise their overall well-being and career growth during this challenging period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


This set of guidelines delineates roles with actions to offer meaningful support after such incidents. It is important to recognise that each situation is unique, eliciting a diverse response from individuals in such circumstances.
Consequently, the level of support required may vary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These guidelines are designed to offer a structured approach to managing such situations effectively.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Project Leads:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Sujata Handa – TPD for Quality, East Midlands School of Anaesthesia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Puja Chhaniyara – Resident doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Key documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
Title<\/th>Link<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\t\t\t
SUI Final Meeting Template (Appendix 2)<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
SUI Initial Meeting Template (Appendix 1)<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Patient Safety Investigation Support Resources<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Patient Safety Incident Investigation Guide<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Resident Doctor Support Framework Infographic<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>
Resident Doctor Support Framework Guideline<\/td>Download<\/a><\/td><\/tr>\t\t\t<\/tbody>\n\t\t<\/table>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Resident doctor responsibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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  1. Prioritise Patient Safety
    Focus on stabilising the patient and fulfilling immediate responsibilities as a healthcare provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Seek Assistance
    Call for senior help or consult with an experienced colleague to ensure appropriate
    patient care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Document
    Provide an accurate and comprehensive record of events in the patient’s medical records detailing the actions taken.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Duty of Candour
    With support from the senior team, communicate openly with the patient and their family.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Prioritise safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Get help and inform consultant<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Document the incident<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Consultant on call responsibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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    Assess the team to determine safety to continue<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Delegate to maintain clinical activity and support team<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Communicate with family, college tutor and resident <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

    Check in within 24hrs (or delegate)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Presence
      Should be informed (if not already)
      Required to attend and be on site<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Assessment
      Assess the team and whether they can continue, or need cover for the rest of the shift<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Additional support
      Call in second consultant to attend to maintain clinical activity
      Aim to delegate responsibilitie of maintaining ongoing activity whilst original team concentrate on the incident<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Debrief
      Hot debrief during the shift, or within 24hrs<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Communication with family<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Resident doctor welfare<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Notification of college tutor of incident<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Follow up
      Identify the next point of contact and check in within 24hrs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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      Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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