Cardiff and Vale hospitals have reported 45 ‘serious incidents’ to Welsh Government in May and June. They include six unexpected deaths of patients known to mental health services, a “significant medication error” in a child,  and five falls where a patient suffered significant injury. Unexpected deaths of a child in paediatric critical care, and of another patient following an apparent incident of self harm, have also been reported. ‘Serious incidents’ are defined by the NHS as events such as unexpected or avoidable deaths, permanent harm to patients, visitors or members of the public, or scenarios which threaten an organisation’s ability to deliver ongoing healthcare. Cardiff and Vale Health Board regularly reports all serious incidents in its facilities to the Welsh Government and the public. In May and June, the health board also reported that a number of investigations were underway for delayed follow-ups. A newborn baby had to be taken to the neonatal unit with a fractured collarbone following a difficult vacuum-assisted delivery, a report of the health board says. An increase in cases of pneumocyctis jirovecci pneumonia lung infections at Cardiff and Vale hospitals have also been reported to Welsh Government and Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee. An altercation also took place on health board property between two members of the public – resulting in one of them suffering injury. This was reported to Welsh Government as a ‘no surprises’ incident – or a ‘sensitive’ issue. Figures show Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is reporting fewer serious incidents per 100,000 population than other NHS Wales organisations. The majority of serious incidents reported by the health board occur at University Hospital of Wales and University Hospital Llandough, reflecting the size and activity on both sites, the report says. Patient satisfaction with the health board stands at 91 per cent, surveys distributed across the health board in May showed. Ruth Walker, executive nurse director at Cardiff and Vale UHB said: “In line with our duty of candour we report all serious incidents to Welsh Government, the public and to our board in line with best practice. “Patients and their families are made aware of incidents and are kept informed during investigations and discussions with our clinical teams. “All incidents are fully investigated and appropriate actions are taken to reduce the risk of recurrence in the future. “This enables clinical boards and the corporate teams to identify areas of good practice but also to identify emerging trends and issues that require action in order to improve safety and quality of services.”