Trust moves to reassure public on Corporate Risk Register
Trust has experienced workforce challenges within its obstetrics and gynaecology services at Altnagelvin
Western Health and Social Care Trust, which currently has 26 identified risks on its Corporate Risk Register, has moved to reassure the public.
According to the Corporate Risk Register and Assurance Framework briefing note prepared for the Trust Board meeting of May 7, 2026, the 26 risks were approved at the Trust Board meeting of March 5, 2026.
The of the risks outlined were the Obstetrics and Gynaecology consultant workforce at Altnagelvin Area Hospital; areas of concern in the Phlebotomy Service, which conducts blood tests; and children’s safeguarding documentation on encompass, the newly-introduced single, digital care record for every person in the North.
Responding to the Obstetrics and Gynaecology consultant workforce risk, a spokesperson for the Western Health and Social Care Trust confirmed it had “experienced workforce challenges within its obstetrics and gynaecology services at Altnagelvin”.
They added: “We are pleased that recent recruitment has been successful, strengthening the consultant workforce and supporting the continued delivery of safe and effective services for women and families.”
Regarding the Phlebotomy Service, the Trust spokesperson said: “The Western Trust is aware of increased pressures on its Phlebotomy Services.
“These pressures are driven by a combination of factors, including changes to regional GP arrangements and the introduction of new digital systems.
“The Trust is actively working to manage this increased demand and to ensure patients continue to receive safe and timely care.
“Actions include reviewing service capacity, progressing additional support for the service, and continuing to refine processes following the implementation of the encompass system.
“Additional funding has recently been secured to support improvements within Phlebotomy Services.
“This will enable the Trust to strengthen the Phlebotomy booking function, helping to ensure patients are scheduled appropriately, and to provide a targeted increase in frontline staffing to better meet demand.
“Work is also ongoing to develop more sustainable service models to support demand over the longer term.
“Patient safety remains our priority, and we are working closely with regional partners to ensure services are delivered as effectively as possible.”
Turning to child safeguarding, the Trust spokesperson said its Children’s Social Work and Social Care services were not yet live on the encompass system.
They added: “To support safe information sharing in the meantime, a Children’s Safeguarding Encounter had been developed to allow staff to securely store and access safeguarding documentation where required. This functionality has been in place since November 2025.
‘Additional funding has recently been secured to support improvements within Phlebotomy Services’
“On behalf of the region, the Trust will commence a 12-week Children’s Safeguarding Documentation Pilot from May 26, 2026.
“This pilot will test how safeguarding information is accessed and managed within the system, with the aim of ensuring that staff who require access to safeguarding documentation will have the ability to correct information at the correct time to allow safeguarding steps to be taken if required.
“Robust safeguards are in place. During the pilot, all access to safeguarding records will be monitored.
“Oversight will be reported through established governance arrangements, including a multi-disciplinary Risk Monitoring Group and regional encompass structures.
“This approach is designed to support safe, controlled access to safeguarding information while Children’s Social Work and Social Care services continue towards full implementation on encompass.