- Was it unexpected or unintended?
It wasn’t supposed to happen—not just the outcome, but the event itself. - Did it happen during care we provide?
It occurred while doing something that falls under CQC-regulated care. - Did it cause or could it cause harm?
Check if there was:
- Death
- Severe harm
- Moderate harm (e.g. extra surgery, longer care, or temporary but serious effects)
If the answers to 1, 2 and 3 are “yes” → It must be reported.
What to Do Next?
Speak to the person (or their rep) in person ASAP.
- Be honest about what happened.
- Apologise in writing.
- Record it—including your conversation and any follow-up.
If you’re looking to build or strengthen QA systems and compliance, CLC has tons of experience in helping services like yours grow and improve. We’d love to support you—just give us a shout.