Being Open: Communicating well with patients and families about adverse events

The Being Open Programme provides a sensitive and reliable system of training for maternity staff to support and involve families when an adverse event occurs and through the subsequent review process. The programme combines specialist communication training with quality improvement methodology

A one day interactive workshop for Consultants, Anaesthetists, Midwives, Specialty Trainees and other staff working in maternity. Participants will work in a small peer group using role play and interactive sessions to address communication challenges when supporting families and staff when an adverse event happens and through the subsequent review process

This workshop is only available to staff working within NHS Ayrhshire & Arran

Topics at the workshops for will include:

• Difficult conversations
• Significant Adverse event process
• Importance of language and suggestions about helpful approaches
• Being open about adverse events
• Early co-ordination and staff support
• Effective escalation and professional communication
• Handling anger and emotional distress
• Giving information and support to people who have been involved in an adverse event
• Chairing case review meetings

Learning Outcomes

In this advanced clinical communication workshop participants will:
• review their current practice in communicating with patients and their relatives,
• identify personal learning objectives and develop strategies for addressing these within a supported peer learning group
• evaluate and respond to patient/relative perspectives
• identify ways of increasing communication effectiveness
• exchange ideas and experiences with colleagues