The INI Implementation Programme
The Department of Health established an Inquiries Implementation Programme Management Board (IIPMB) to oversee the implementation of not only recommendations from the INI Report but also the Inquiry into Hyponatraemia Related Deaths (IHRD).
The IIPMB oversees the implementation of the 76 recommendations within the INI Report, in line with the agreed Terms of Reference. All 76 INI Report recommendations have been accepted in principle.
It is clear from engagement with key delivery partners that further improvements to governance systems and processes have been made, and there is an acceptance that more work is required to ensure the full implementation of the INI Report.
The Department of Health is committed to overseeing the INI Implementation Programme and will work in partnership with stakeholders to take forward each of the recommendations. Delivery partners include: the Healthcare Organisations, the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Independent Healthcare Providers, who are also committed to progressing this programme of work.
Programme Structure
INI Implementation Plan
The overarching INI Implementation Plan was published on 27 July 2023.
The INI Implementation Plan can be viewed here: Independent Neurology Inquiry (INI) - Implementation and Action Plans | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
This provided a high-level overview of the approach being taken to progress improvements to healthcare services and systems in Northern Ireland to improve patient safety and restore public confidence following the events leading to the recall of patients of Dr Michael Watt.
The INI Implementation Plan classified the 76 recommendations into two overarching themes, “Assurance and Accountability” and “Information and Data Management”.
Each of the 76 recommendations have been delegated to 5 workstreams:
- Workforce;
- Quality & Safety;
- Governance;
- Information Systems; and
- Information Sharing.
Each workstream has a nominated Departmental policy lead, who will work in collaboration and engage with the relevant organisations and stakeholders, to drive forward and progress each of the recommendations as part of their portfolio of work.
The benefits and outcomes expected from the two Themes, five Workstreams and the required actions against each INI recommendation are outlined within the INI Implementation Plan.
The INI Implementation Plan committed to the publication of an INI Action Plan to outline the specific actions required against each recommendation and the production of an Assurance Framework to support the INI Action Plan.
The work required to implement the recommendations from the INI Report has been ongoing and progressing simultaneously to the development of the INI Action Plan. It is relevant that the INI Report acknowledged that progress and change has already been made within the healthcare system during the completion of the Public Inquiry.
Many of the actions to be taken to implement the INI Report are aligned or interdependent with other Departmental work programmes and work being undertaken in parallel by other relevant organisations.
INI Action Plan
The INI Action Plan centres on the need to strengthen governance systems and processes and to change and improve the culture, leadership and accountability within health and social care organisations to ensure patient safety. It will be a conduit to support transparency, openness and to help to restore the public faith in the Health and Social Care system in Northern Ireland.
The purpose of the INI Action Plan is to ensure that the needs and safety of patients are at the forefront of our healthcare systems and organisations, and so that our healthcare provision will meet the expectations of service users at all times.
The INI Action Plan can be viewed here: Independent Neurology Inquiry (INI) - Implementation and Action Plans | Department of Health (health-ni.gov.uk)
Delivering the changes identified by the INI report requires a series of coordinated actions across a range of organisations, including the Department, General Medical Council (GMC), Healthcare Organisations and Independent Sector. The INI Action Plan sets out the actions planned and the progress and current status of the 76 recommendations of the INI.
The INI Action Plan outlines the actions and the progress and current status of the 76 recommendations of the INI that sit under two Themes, which will be delivered through the five cross-cutting and complimentary Workstreams that align to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the INI Report.
The INI Action Plan is not just focused on amending and improving elements of the present system but also to support a sustained and unwavering culture change moving forward. It recognises the need to ensure that patient safety is paramount, supports the development of the healthcare workforce, provides a greater understanding of roles and responsibilities of management and the healthcare workforce, supports effective leadership and accountability and supports the realisation of an improved culture within health and social care organisations which provides openness and transparency.
Implementation of the INI Action Plan will be secured through the delivery of the two Themes, five Workstreams and the actions outlined against each INI recommendation, and the continued commitment of the Department, the Healthcare Organisations, the GMC and the Independent Sector Organisations to work in partnership to fully implement the INI Action Plan.