How a chat and a cuppa with a consultant cuts complaints
Including doctors in bereavement meetings following a patient's death in hospital helps reduce complaints and litigation: UK study
A bereavement service with doctors from the patient’s medical team and from the treating institution can reduce complaints and litigation, as well as support families, according to a pilot UK study.
A team from Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Gillingham, piloted a bereavement service with the aim of reducing complaints, litigation and coronial inquests, and supporting families.
Over the eight-month pilot period, the bereavement service sent 121 invitation letters to next-of-kin on the first working day after the death of a surgery patient.
Overall, 18 families (15%) used the service.
