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Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch: Transition Update

I am making this statement to update Members on the Government’s timetable to establish the Health Services Safety Investigations Body (HSSIB) and the Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations Special Health Authority (MNSI). The programmes of national investigations and maternity investigations currently sit in the Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch (HSIB).

The Health and Care Act 2022 contains provisions that will, once commenced, establish the HSSIB as a Non-Departmental Public Body. On 26 January 2022, by way of a Written Ministerial Statement, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that a separate Special Health Authority would also be established to continue the independent Maternity Investigation Programme, and that both bodies were expected to be operational in April 2023.

I am today announcing a delay of six months until October 2023 to the expected establishment of both bodies. I believe this further period will enable all the necessary work to be completed to ensure a smooth transition of these investigation programmes.

In the meantime, I remain committed to ensuring that the important work of the HSIB continues, both investigations and the maternity investigations programme.