Recurring concern
Failure to communicate safety-critical care information effectively between care providers and families
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Request correctionFirst reported 7 Jan 2014•Latest report 1 Jun 2026
What this concern includes
Includes failures in provider-to-family or family-to-provider communication where the information concerns patient safety, clinical risks, care plans, deterioration, leave arrangements, incidents, complaints or other matters directly relevant to safe care.
Not included
- Excludes communication failures solely between professionals, services or departments when families are not a relevant party.
- Excludes generic failures of documentation, staffing, training or policy compliance unless they directly constitute or prevent communication of safety-critical information to or from families.
- Excludes routine information provision or dissatisfaction that is not tied to a meaningful public-safety concern.
- Excludes communication with patients, students, prisoners or other beneficiaries where families are not materially involved.
- Reports
- 70
- Individual concerns
- 74
- Date range
- 2014–2026
- Stated actions
- 94
Distinct published reports
A report can raise multiple concerns
First to latest report issue date
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient communication with family members about discharge risks and support needs
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement family and carer engagement changes using the triangle of care model in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.
Stated by The Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to communicate diagnosis, treatment options, rationale and discharge plans with family representatives
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Allocate a multidisciplinary team member on ward rounds to update families about all aspects of patient care.
Stated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Conduct regular retrospective clinical-record audits to monitor compliance with family communication standards.
Stated by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to maintain meaningful family contact about concerning loss of contact
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Review and finalise the Missed Appointments Policy with stronger guidance for disengagement, unsuccessful contact and escalation of concerns.
Stated by North East London NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Insufficient communication with commissioning authorities and next of kin about care and supervision risks
This report raised 6 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement communication protocols for promptly and transparently sharing serious care or safeguarding concerns with families and local authorities.
Stated by The Children's Trust
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide regular explanations and discussions with NOK/family about ongoing management plans and treatment options for inpatients with serious surgical issues
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Implement allocation of a named consultant to patients to improve access for patients and families discussing treatment plans.
Stated by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Delays in clear disclosure of reporting errors to families and the Coroner
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Update the Incident Management Policy and Compassionate Engagement and Duty of Candour Policy.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Revise the Radiology Duty of Candour SOP with assessment procedures and response timeframes for discrepancy and harm-feedback cases.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Submit further Radiology SOP updates for Radiology Directorate review and Care Group Board approval.
Stated by York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Inadequate safety-netting for apparently benign abdominal conditions
This report raised 7 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
No linked response statementsNo respondent-stated action or position is linked to these concerns in the published data.
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Concerns raised1
Poor and inaccurate communication with families following incidents
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.2
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Action
Recruit and appoint two dedicated Family Liaison Officers for patient-safety investigations and serious complaints.
Stated by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust -
Action
Train staff on engaging and involving families after patient-safety incidents and reinforce communication-recording requirements.
Stated by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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Concerns raised1
Lack of a communication strategy supporting joint working and family involvement in pressure-ulcer care
This report raised 5 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.3
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Action
Develop an information leaflet explaining how families can contact District Nursing for pressure-area-care advice.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board -
Action
Include joint-working Quality Statements in the service’s next assessment and follow up actions addressing previously identified communication shortfalls.
Stated by Care Quality Commission -
Action
Follow up the registered manager’s investigation into failures to keep families informed and seek assurance that resulting actions mitigate communication risks.
Stated by Care Quality Commission
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
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Position
The care home provider is responsible for keeping family members updated about residents’ health, including pressure ulcer management and nursing advice.
Stated by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board
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Concerns raised1
Failure to provide families with deterioration warning signs and actions at discharge
This report raised 11 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Responses linked to these concernsEach statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.1
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Action
Develop and provide patients and carers with a postoperative sepsis-awareness information card.
Stated by South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Data last updated 7 September 2026