Part 4: The Health Services Safety Investigations Body Investigations Section 111: Deciding which incidents to investigate
This section outlines how the HSSIB determines which qualifying incidents it should investigate as part of its function under section 110. Section 111(2) also gives the Secretary of State the power to direct the HSSIB to carry out an investigation of a particular qualifying incident that has occurred, or group of qualifying incidents that have occurred and are of a particular description, and to specify the date by which the HSSIB must publish its final report. The Secretary of State may also issue a further direction specifying a later date (for example, to grant an extension).
	Once the HSSIB has begun an investigation, it must publish a statement reporting that it has begun the investigation. This must include a brief description of the incident(s) under investigation, and set out, in general terms, the issues that the HSSIB expects to consider in the investigation. The HSSIB may give advance notice of such a statement to any person the HSSIB considers may be affected by the investigation. This may include, but is not limited to, patients, families, any individual who has referred the incident to the HSSIB, or an NHS Trust or other healthcare provider.
	Where the HSSIB discontinues an investigation, it must publish a statement reporting that it has discontinued the investigation, and its reasons for doing so.
	If the HSSIB decides not to investigate a qualifying incident, it may give notice of this to any person the HSSIB considers to have an interest in the determination. This may include, but is not limited to, patients, families, any individual who has referred the incident to the HSSIB, or an NHS Trust or other healthcare provider. In doing so, the HSSIB may include a brief description of the incident and explain its reasons for not investigating.