Quick Checklist: Is It a Notifiable Safety Incident?

1.   Was it unexpected or unintended?
It wasn’t supposed to happen—not just the outcome, but the event itself.
2.   Did it happen during care we provide?
It occurred while doing something that falls under CQC-regulated care.
3.   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.