Clinical Safety ToolkitStaffordshire Training Hub

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    Options for finding a Clinical Safety Officer, where to train, and the questions asked most.

    Finding a CSO

    A clinician in your practice

    A GP, nurse or pharmacist completes CSO training.

    Good for: an interested clinician with some protected time
    Shared across a PCN

    One trained CSO covers several practices.

    Good for: spreading cost and time across an area, whilst keeping a local clinician
    An external provider

    A company provides a CSO for a yearly fee. Some are listed in the references below, as a guide only.4,5,6

    Good for: practices and PCNs without in-house capacity. The practice still has to sign off the work.

    Ask your ICB or PCN first: there may already be an arrangement you can join.

    Training to be a CSO

    1. Free e-learningEight short sessions on e-Learning for Healthcare.2Everyone involved
    2. Live practitioner courseA one-day course from NHS England’s clinical safety team.1Anyone signing off
    3. Keep it upRefresher days, regular assessments, and communities such as NHS England’s CSO Coffee and Chat sessions.Ongoing

    Common questions

    Does every practice need its own CSO?

    No. One CSO can cover several practices. Their job is to review and sign off; the practice team can do much of the groundwork.3

    If the ICB bought the tool, haven’t they done the clinical safety?

    Partly. DCB0160 is about how the tool is used in your practice, which only you can assess. Ask what they’ve done and build on it.

    Can we use the practice down the road’s safety case?

    As a starting point, not as your own. Your workflows and controls will differ.3

    Isn’t the DPIA enough?

    No. The DPIA covers data protection. Clinical safety is a separate requirement.

    Further reading

    References

    1. Clinical risk management training. NHS England. Page last updated 2021, so check current courses
    2. Clinical risk management training programme. e-Learning for Healthcare
    3. Clinical safety and AVTs webinar. Newton’s Tree, April 2026. Panel with Dr Keith Grimes, Dr Youssof Oskrochi and Haris Shuaib
    4. Bordercross Health. Clinical safety documentation platform and support. Listed as a guide only, not an endorsement
    5. Curistica. CSO and DCB0160 services for practices, PCNs and federations. Listed as a guide only, not an endorsement
    6. Howbeck Healthcare. GP digital clinical safety service and DPO service. Listed as a guide only, not an endorsement

    Sources on this page last checked 3 November 2026.