Part 4: The Health Services Safety Investigations Body Investigations Section 112: Criteria, principles and processes
This section outlines that the HSSIB must determine and publish the criteria it will use to determine the incidents it will investigate, the principles that will govern investigations, the processes that will be followed in carrying out investigations, and the processes for ensuring that, so far as reasonable and practicable, patients and their families are involved in investigations. It is expected that this will include the process that will be used to determine how interested parties (e.g. patients, families, and staff in both the NHS and independent sector, as well as staff in other health bodies such as NHS England) will be involved in the investigations. The processes must include the procedures and methods to be used in investigations, including the interviewing of persons, and the time periods within which the HSSIB will aim to complete investigations (under section 112(2)). Different types of investigation may have different processes in carrying out investigations and involving patients and families. Anything which is published concerning the processes for patient and family involvement in investigations must be easily accessible by patients and families and capable of being understood by them (under section 112(4)). The intention is that the HSSIB will make all necessary efforts to involve patients and families in investigations, as far as is reasonable andand practicable. However, where individuals cannot be reached, despite efforts made by the HSSIB, or where they refuse to participate, this should not prevent the HSSIB from proceeding with its investigation.
	Section 112(7) sets out that in developing these criteria, principles and processes, the HSSIB must consult the Secretary of State and any other persons as they think appropriate.
	The HSSIB must review the criteria, principles and processes once in the first three years after publication and at least once every five years after the first review (under section 112(5)), and if revising following review must consult the Secretary of State or other persons the HSSIB considers appropriate. The aim of these provisions is to encourage the HSSIB to change and improve its methods as it becomes more experienced in conducting safety investigations.