An overall increase in voluntary reporting of radiotherapy incidents (RTEs) and near misses has been put down to a ‘mature reporting culture’, according to a new report from Public Health England.
The report covers the period November 2013 to November 2015, which saw a total of 12,691 reports submitted, up from the 7,655 for the previous two-year period.
The report states: “The overall increase in voluntary reporting indicates a mature reporting culture. The increase in providers contributing also demonstrates the radiotherapy community’s commitment to maximise learning from these events to minimise the frequency of their occurrence in the future.”
It goes on to state: “It is imperative that RTE trends continue to be reported, analysed and monitored on a cyclical basis, in order to inform ongoing safe and effective radiotherapy practice.
“This is especially pertinent as new techniques and technologies are implemented and as new clinical radiotherapy departments are established.
“This work supports a risk-based approach to improving safety both locally and nationally, and indicates a culture that is open, transparent and already present in the UK radiotherapy community.”