What is MNSI?
MNSI stands for Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigations. It was previously known as HSIB (Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch).
MNSI is an independent organisation, which means it is not part of the hospital. Its role is to look carefully at the care that was given in certain serious situations, to understand what happened and whether improvements can be made.
The MNSI team includes midwives, doctors, and other healthcare professionals with a wide range of experience. They work closely with families, NHS Trusts, and hospital staff.
What does MNSI investigate?
The Maternity and Neonatal Safety Investigations (MNSI) team looks into serious incidents involving mothers and babies when a baby is born at 37 weeks of pregnancy or later.
They investigate cases where one of the following has happened:
- A baby is born alive but sadly dies within the first seven days of life (neonatal death).
- A baby is believed to be alive at the start of labour but is born with no signs of life (intrapartum stillbirth).
- A baby is diagnosed with a severe brain injury within the first seven days after birth.
- A mother dies during pregnancy or within 42 days after the pregnancy ends.
When one of these serious events happens, the hospital will refer the case to the MNSI team straight away. The hospital will ask for your permission to share your contact details so that MNSI can contact you directly and talk to you about your wishes.
If you choose not to give permission, the hospital may carry out its own internal investigation instead.
What does an MNSI investigation involve?
If you agree to be contacted, the MNSI team will get in touch to explain how the investigation works. They will ask for your permission to look at the relevant medical records.
The MNSI team will:
They will also:
The experts help the team to decide what questions the investigation should focus on.
MNSI report
After the investigations are complete, the MNSI team will write a report explaining what they found and making safety recommendations.
The aim is to learn lessons and reduce the chance of something similar happening again, not to blame individuals.
Before the report is final:
- You will be sent a draft copy and asked to check that the facts are correct.
- The final report will then be shared with you. It will be anonymous and will not assign blame or legal responsibility.
The MNSI team may also ask if you would like a meeting with hospital representatives to discuss the findings and next steps.
An MNSI investigator will keep you informed about how long the process is likely to take and what stage the investigation is at. They aim to stay in regular contact with both the family and the hospital throughout.
What should I do if I am told MNSI is investigating my case?
It is your choice whether you agree to an MNSI investigation. The investigation cannot go ahead without your consent.
Many families have found it helpful to speak with the investigators. They often feel reassured knowing that steps are being taken to understand what happened and to help prevent something similar from happening to other families in the future.
However, it is important to know that the findings in the final report may not fully match your own feelings or experiences. This can sometimes feel frustrating or upsetting. Even so, the report often helps families gain a clearer understanding of parts of the care that were provided.
If MNSI is investigating, does that mean I have a clinical negligence case?
Not necessarily. An MNSI investigation does not automatically mean that the care received was negligent.
However, if you have concerns about the care you or your child received around the time of birth, you are welcome to speak with a member of our team. We can talk through your concerns, explain what the investigation means, and help you understand your options.
Any discussion will be confidential, and we will support you as best we can.
Quote from Alpa Rana, Legal Director and Specialist Medical Negligence Solicitor from MDS, said :
“Welcoming a new baby can be an overwhelming and emotional experience, particularly when things have not gone as expected and MNSI are involved. It is natural to feel upset, anxious, or overloaded with information at this time. An MNSI investigation does not mean that you, your partner, or your baby, have received negligent care. It is, put simply, a process designed to ensure that your concerns are properly explored and that your questions are answered.”
