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What do we mean by moderate or severe harm?

Moderate Harm

A service user experiences a moderate increase in treatment and significant but not permanent harm, and the care provided by the NHS did or may have contributed. For example, they are given medication despite this being documented in their notes as an allergy, and this leads to a significant reaction requiring four or more days in hospital before recovery.

 

Severe Harm

A service user experiences a permanent disability or loss of function and the NHS care did or may have contributed. For example, they are given medication despite this being documented in their notes as an allergy, and this leads to brain damage or other permanent organ damage.

 

Death

A service user dies and the NHS care did or may have contributed to the death. For example, they are given medication despite this being documented in their notes as an allergy, and this leads to their death.