Death In Custody Clinical Reviews

Clinical reviews which access all circumstances.

Identify the root causes of deaths that occur in custody.

The investigations team at Delphi Care are trusted by the NHS to undertake death in custody reviews. This investigation will assess how the person died, the contributing factors and what can be changed to prevent any further deaths in police custody.

Learn more about our investigation services by speaking with our team!


What are death in custody reviews?

When a person dies in prison custody, the first investigation will be conduced by the PPO (Prison and Probation Ombudsman) and they will investigate how the death occurred, irrespective of how they died.

Once they have conducted their investigation, they will request a further investigation by an NHS approved supplier to commission an independent clinical review that forms a part of the initial PPO investigation.

The PPO investigation will lead the investigation from a prison perspective, the NHS clinical reviewer is appointed to lead on the investigation from a healthcare aspect. The objective of the clinical review is to figure out if the healthcare the person received was equivalent to that in a healthcare facility, however the process also allows for areas of improvement to be identified within the prison environment.

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Learn more about our death in custody clinical reviews.

Find out more about our investigations services and how the Delphi Task Force can support your service by contacting our team on 0330 133 3002 or email us customer-care@delphi.care today!

The stages of a death in custody clinical review.

Stage 1

This is typically a desktop review of the records, conversations with the interested parties (usually the prison healthcare provider) and the PPO investigator, the aim of this stage is to create an overall clinical report.

Stage 2

This stage includes all the elements of stage 1 but will also include formal interviews which are conducted by both the PPO and clinical reviewer, these interviews can be joint interviews if required.

Stage 3

A more comprehensive review which includes both stage 1 and stage 2 but the findings are combined and analysed further by a multidisciplinary panel.

How do our investigations work?

Delphi employs a variety of investigative methods to identify potential causes of specific events. By reviewing and analysing patients’ clinical notes, risk assessments, and care plans, we can pinpoint areas of risk and recommend actions for improvement. We also use a PSRIF template to uncover the root causes of problems and propose solutions, complemented by a detailed timeline of events.

Our investigative approach integrates a systems approach, human factors, and ergonomics, using the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model and other tools recommended by NHS England. This ensures that we consider all elements of the work system, including people, tasks, tools and technologies, environment, and organisational conditions. By doing so, we aim to improve safety, clinical effectiveness, and patient experience.

Thanks to our impartiality, we provide unbiased, evidence-based reports grounded in the evidence presented. All investigations undergo peer review to ensure accuracy, consistency, and proportionality. We conduct interviews with involved staff using open and closed questions, maintaining a ‘no blame’ approach.

Adhering to the three pillars of quality within the NHS - safety, clinical effectiveness, and patient experience - Delphi boasts a team of experienced clinicians and senior operational staff. When necessary, we can engage expert subject matter associates. Our team includes Occupational Therapists, RMNs, RGNs, LD professionals, CQC Inspectors, and Operational Managers, all of whom have extensive senior-level experience in both the public and private sectors.

By incorporating a systems approach and focusing on human factors and ergonomics, Delphi's investigations are thorough and aligned with best practices for patient safety. This method allows us to identify systemic issues rather than attributing blame to individuals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.

Get in touch.

Find out more about our investigations services by contacting our team on 0330 133 3002 or email us customer-care@delphi.care today!
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Our specialist investigations team.

Following the three pillars of quality base of the NHS, Delphi has a team of experienced clinicians and senior operational staff and are able to bring in expert subject matter associates, should there be a need.

Our specialist team includes Occupational Therapists, RMN, RGN, LD, CQC Inspectors, Operational Managers, and more all with countless years of experience at senior level both within the Public and Private sectors.

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Kate Comfort

Investigations Lead

Kate has extensive experience in healthcare and social care investigations. Over six years as a CQC inspector and a background as a Datix Officer have honed her skills in managing serious incidents and performing root cause analysis. Kate excels in working with providers to foster a positive learning culture, using insights from patient safety incidents to drive continuous improvement and deliver the highest quality care.

Why choose Delphi Care?

We are trained in death in custody clinical reviews and can work alongside PPO’s to help conclude the comprehensive reports. We are trusted by the NHS to conduct these reviews and ensure that our expert team will investigate all circumstances that have contributed and produce a report that provides actionable recommendations.

If you require our death in custody clinical review services, please contact our investigations team today and we will be happy to talk through your situation and explain how Delphi can help alongside the Prison and Probation Ombudsman.

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Our other investigations expertise.

The Delphi investigations team has experience across many different types of independent investigations.

Mental Health Homicide Investigations

We are expert providers in independent mental health homicide reviews. Our sensitive team have the skills to understand and feedback on the situation.
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Safeguarding Reviews & Investigations

Our team of Occupational Therapists, RMN, RGN, LD, CQC Inspectors, and Operational Managers are highly experienced in completing independent safeguarding reviews.
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System-wide Incident Invesitgations

We’re approved suppliers of independent investigations and have extensive experience in investigating cases of system-wide failure. Our team have improved failing services and helped reverse decisions by the authorities to shut down inadequate services.
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