Evaluation of NHS Safety Policies and Practices

This assignment involves evaluating the safety policies and practices of the National Health Service (NHS). It includes assessing the use of the safety climate tool, which is used to analyze the effectiveness of NHS safety policies and practices. The task requires referencing various books and journals related to health care finance, cultural competence, and social and health care integration.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
IN THE HSC
WORKPLACE

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Review of systems, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and
safety in the case setting..............................................................................................................1
1.2 Assessment of responsibilities for the management of health and safety at each level
within the organization structure.................................................................................................2
1.3 Analysis of health and safety priorities appropriate for UK Health and Care organization. 3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Importance of risk assessments in specific health and social care work environment.........3
2.2 Impact of health and safety policy aspect on health and social care practices in the place at
Slade House on Connor and his family.......................................................................................4
2.3 Dilemmas in relation to implementing health, safety and security.......................................4
2.4 Impact of non compliance with health and safety legislation in health and social care.......5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Monitoring and reviewing health and safety policies and practices.....................................6
3.2 Effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in workplace................................6
3.3 Reflection to place health and safety needs of people in practice.........................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
Illustration Index
Illustration 1: Safety Climate Tool..................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Health and social care is the term which is being used for the ventures that are giving the
different services that are related to the heath and care of the people. The people who serve these
facilities are known as health and care providers. This is a generic term used to refer to the whole
of the healthcare provision infrastructure, public and private sector. Other than that it is the
discipline which consist of different elements that are sociology, biology, nutrition, law, and
ethics. This term is called as HSC. The people who are involved in these activities are nurse,
doctors, social workers, paramedics, counsellors, physiotherapists, psychotherapists etc. Other
than that it consists of different subjects such as Biology, Nutrition, Law and social policy,
Ethics and Social and educational activities. The following research has related to the health and
safety and the objectives which will be consist in present study. Other than that it also includes
the role of health and safety legislations in health and social care workplace, impacts of health
and safety requirements on the customers and monitoring the health and safety policies at the
workplace.
TASK 1
1.1 Review of systems, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and
safety in the case setting
NHS have identified that they need implement some changes in their procedures and
policies so that they can serve good environment to the employees and can have effective
communication with in the premises. The existing policies and practices of the hospital are
meeting the legislation requirements of UK government. Some laws and code of conduct which
are included in it that are Health and safety regulation 1981, Health and safety at work act 1974
and Reporting of injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR).
When it is concerned about the Health and safety regulation 1981, then it defined the
proper structure as well ad responsibilities and authorities which is being executed in the each
and every heath and safety organisation. With the helps of this law, proper roles and
responsibilities have been defined so that they can fulfil their responsibilities in effective manner
(Acton, 2013). It also tells the responsibilities related to the different aspects such as healthcare
practitioners, social care workers and other assistants. Other than that when it is concerned about
the heath and safety regulations 1981, then it is the law which is concerned about the first aid of
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the heath and social care organisation. It states that venture should create a separate first aid
room in the premises. Other than that UK Health Care organization serves the heath and care
facilities to the care workers if they meet with any accident or having some injury. With that
when it comes to the Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), then it
is the responsibilities of the venture to create the proper report about the disease, deaths, injuries.
It duty of the organisation to report all the information related to the hospital treatment, hazards,
accidents etc.
There are several ways by which communication can be done, that ate classified into
three categories, that are oral, written and Graphical. When it is concerned about the Oral
communication then It is the communication which have been taken place over the phone or in
person other than that, Written business communications are printed messages. Examples of
written communications include memos, proposals, e-mails, letters, training manuals, and
operating policies with that Graphical communication is Body movement and gestures are also
part of non-verbal communication (Brand, 2012). For example, leaning forward may mean
interest, while crossing arms is often viewed as a defensive posture. It helps in giving the training
to all the employees so they can understand every aspect of the protection.
1.2 Assessment of responsibilities for the management of health and safety at each level within
the organization structure.
There are several roles and responsibilities that are need to be fulfilled by the both employee and
employer in the heath and care organisation, that are as follows:
Employer responsibilities: it is responsibilities of the employer to have proper communication
of information. It is very important for the top level management to communicate information to
the employees related to organisation rules, regulation, strategies etc. other than that it is very
significant for the employees to communicate information about the different hazards in the
venture to the customers. Other than that other responsibilities of the employer is non
communication of personal information (Fisher, 2005). It is very important for the employees
and organisation to keep in mind that they should not communicate personal information about
the customers to unauthorised person
Employee responsibilities: The key responsibilities of the employee is to Keep the premises,
tool, machinery etc. clean and tidy. Other than that their responsibilities is to provide the right
health care services to the patients so that proper heath and safety can be maintained. In order to
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do that care employees need to take care of their own heath issues and to be away from the
different disease. Other than that employee should have proper knowledge and understand about
the disease for which they are taking care. With that they need to have proper communication
with the management and customers. Communication is important with the customers because,
they can easily understand the problems of patients (Glasby, 2012). And communication is
important with management so that they can know all the problems faced by the patients.
1.3 Analysis of health and safety priorities appropriate for UK Health and Care organization
Priority 1: The key priority of the health care service providers is to cater the needs and wants of
the patient and serve them best services so that customers can cope with their heath problems.
Priority 2: On the other side, it is top priority of the management is to serve training to the care
providers so that they can able to deliver the nest services to the patients. It is very important for
the care providers to have proper knowledge and understanding about the disease so that treat
patient in appropriate manner.
Priority 3: Other than that third most priority of the organisation to maintain clean and health
environment in the premises so that patient can not catch by any other disease. All the
machinery, tool etc. to be cleaned on timely basis (Moonie, 2000).
Priority 4: The forth priority of the organisation is disposed of waste. It is very important for the
heath care venture to dispose the waste such as injections, cotton etc. It is being known that
different chemicals are used by the nurses, these chemicals should be disposed properly so that it
do not harm anyone.
Priority 5: other than that one of the most important priority of the organisation is risk
management, it is being known that there are several aspects and materials in the care
organisation which can be dangerous for the employees and patients. These risk should be
identified and removed properly
TASK 2
2.1 Importance of risk assessments in specific health and social care work environment
Risk assessment is the process by which organisation determine that what are different
potential harm for the customers and what will be different causes and consequences will be
taken place when the harm occurs to the customer (Acton, 2013). In this case, risk assessment is
made to analyse that what are different hazards that can take place in the premises and how
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customers and staff can be prevented from the hazard. In this case where a specialist residential
unit for adults with learning disabilities which resulted in the death of an 18-year old service user
that is Connor Sparrowhawk. Connor, who was epileptic and had autistic traits have been dies.
The venture should take several measure so that they can maintain proper and safe environment
in the premises (Glasby, 2012). This will help the patients who are suffering from the autistic to
be away from the different factors that cause autistic. UK Health and Care always maintained the
good standards of housekeeping so that they can keep all the hazards away from the different
people that are customers and staff of the venture. Other than that venture should collect all the
information regarding autistic, which includes, causes, consequences, hazards etc. with that they
should communicate this information to their staff so that they can take proper precaution from
the disease and helps the patient to be aware of the disease and now them how they take care
from the disease (Moonie, 2010).
2.2 Impact of health and safety policy aspect on health and social care practices in the place at
Slade House on Connor and his family
Connor who was suffering from diabetes have died, in order to deal with the diabetes
problem. The major aspect of health and safety policy is health and safety of patients and staff
members of UK Health and Care organization (Acton, 2013). Connor, who was epileptic and had
autistic traits was admitted to the unit on 19th March 1013 and died on 4th July 2013 after
having been found submerged in his bath. With that they can find the different solution in order
to prevent from this disease and it occurs then they can prevent it at immediate basis. Other than
that they can help the customers and patients to find the relevant information about the disease
and how they can take care from the disease. It has been founded that Connor was not assessed
and managed properly. The care taker have not supervised him in adequate manner at bath times,
no family engagement in his assessment and care, no effective clinical leadership and no proper
attempts to engage the teenager in activities (Brand, 2012). Thus, it can be said that organisation
should keep eye on the health care service providers so that they can take care and supervise all
the patients in effective manner. In order to overcome this biggest problem, proper supervision
and assessment of the patient should be taken care (Fisher, 2005).
2.3 Dilemmas in relation to implementing health, safety and security.
There are various dilemmas faced by Health practitioners at the time of delivering health
services to patients. In accordance to the case of Connor Sparrowhawk who was found
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unconscious in bath room, now it is the situation in which the nurse can not visit washroom with
the patent whereas leaving patient alone is also not ethical This the situation which do not
suggest the right and wrong among the two circumstances. Apart from this if the person is
behaving aggressively and trying to violent with practitioners than it is the duty of service
provider to treat patient with love and make them understand the important for recovering and
taking appropriate medication. There are many situations In heath care services which leads to
dilemma like now the case of connor sparrowhawk in this the situation of nurse is also
considerable but the individuals was bound under the policies and practices of heath care which
plays a crucial role which would have assisted the nurse in maintaining the effectiveness of its
services. For instance if in case the child is not ready to intake medication on time than the
service providers can not force him or her where there duty states that they are liable to provide
timely medication to service users. This the situation of dilemma where the nurse can not even
force the patient to take medicine and the rules states the timely medication. Hence, it is
important for the staff members to behave focused when delivering services and carelessness is
not tolerated at care centre. The legislation and regulations plays a vital role in eliminating of
dilemmas (Hawn, 2017).
2.4 Impact of non compliance with health and safety legislation in health and social care.
Non compliance with legislation of health care practices leads to disastrous accidents like
in case of 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk who was found unconscious in the bath at Slade
House died. In accordance to the case it has been analysed that his mother was sick and therefore
the family the heath care centre provided the nurse service at home but the supervision was not at
all perfect due to which he drowned at the time of bathing as he was unconscious. Further, non
compliance with the legislation lead to cancellation of license of health care centre but in this the
is case the NHS has complied with all healthy and safe legislation but due to lack of supervision
of nurse the person died and firm bared a loss of reputation. Further, service providers are
equally responsible for the non compliance with regulation or the individuals neglected the
regulations. In accordance to this the nurse got restricted for its entire career because non
compliance with heath regulation has equal justice for all. In accordance to case the reputation
and license of NHS its services is safe due to its compliance with, Sharp instruments in
healthcare regulations 2013, Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999,
Provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998, First aid regulation 1981, Workplace
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(health, safety and welfare) 1992, Health and safety work act 1974 an many more. Non
compliance with legislation is the chaos which creates confusion can make the scenario worst.
TASK 3
3.1 Monitoring and reviewing health and safety policies and practices.
Monitoring health and safety practices and polices in an National health service plays a
major role in serving adequate and appropriate services to service users and employees. The
company has its own external audit team which assist the services and changes required in
practices like, need of new equipment such as, customized beds for easy movement if patient,
comfortable mattresses etc. In addition the health care centre monitors and review policies and
practices by using monitoring tools such as:
 Reactive Monitoring: It is examining the scenario of situation after it has occurred. For
example, in accordance to this, the audit team of NHS, evaluates the practices and
activities of organisations which is termed as inspection. In this the team identifies the
lacking area which need to be improvised in order to establish effectiveness in heath care
services. Further, in this the team focuses on analysing the hazardous situation and
practices which can lead to risk in NHS.
 Proactive Monitoring: In this monitoring technique the audit team of NHS evaluates the
situation and practices which can be formulated in order to control hazardous situation in
health care centre (Nolan, Y, 2005). In this the organisations establishes controlling
standards in order to maintain the appropriateness of heath and safe practices for service
users and employees.
Thus, monitoring and reviewing assist the health care centre in overcoming the challenges which
can interrupt the efficiency of health services. Reviewing the policies and practices assist in
making effective measures to enhance the services of NHS. The formulation and implantation of
health practices in firm assist the management in making optimum utilisation of resources and
making flows of services systematic and appropriate.
3.2 Effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in workplace.
It is important for the NHS to implement effectiveness in its services in order to make
stable working environment for employees and service users. Effectiveness of policies and
practices of NHS is determined by the following factors:
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 The reviewing and monitoring practices of NHS is to implement and keep check over the
policies and practices of organisation ion order to manage risk and to prevent hazardous
incidents.
 Formulating and amending practices according to the record evaluated by audit team.
NHS formulates its action plan according to the report maintained by audit team after inspection
of work place, policies and practices (Chileshe, and Dzisi, 2012).
 The effectiveness of health practices and polices is analysed with the helps of audit team
and accountable person of NHS.
 Collecting feedback form service users and employees is the best way which assist NHS
in evaluating effectiveness of its policies and practices.
Apart from this NHS make use of Safety climate tool to analyse the effectiveness of its safety
policies and practices. The model determines the effectiveness of health practices at every level
like,
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Illustration 1: Safety Climate Tool
Source: (What is your safety climate? Are you measuring it? 2014)

 Organisational commitment: In this it focuses on commitment for which NHS is working
like, the services of health care centre are focused on promoting social welfare by
servicing heath services to people across the globe (Drummond and et.al, 2015.).
 Health and safety oriented behaviours: In this the effectiveness is denoted by the
determination of NHS towards the health practices in the centre for workers as well as for
service users. For instance, in this the effectiveness is denoted by the staff behaviours
towards the patients when delivering health services.
 Health and safety trust: This denotes the trust involvement in the healthy and safe
practices of NHS. It is important for the organisation to determine the appropriate
involvement of volunteers and trust parties (Sharma and et.al, 2015).
 Usability of procedure: Following appropriate procedures is the best way which assist the
NHS in maintaining the effectiveness of its practices and policies. It is the best which
helps in evaluating loopholes at initial level which aid in preventing hazardous incidents
at health care centre.
 Engagement in health and safety: Engagement in safe practices is another measure which
aid in maintaining the effectiveness of health polices and practices at the centre.
 Peer group attitude: In this effectiveness of policies is determined by the attitude of peer
group the at is heath practitioners towards the procedures and practices of Nation health
service.
 Resources of health and safety: This ensures that there are adequate resources available
In NHS to establish effectiveness in health care services in order to serve satisfactory
services.
3.3 Reflection to place health and safety needs of people in practice
In my opinion it is important for the people to ensure healthy and safe practices at
workplace as it assist the establishing stable work environment for employees and for services
users. In accordance to report I have discovered that these practices and policies establishes a
strong base for health care centre to maintain the adequacy of health practices. Further, according
to me the safety climate tool is the way to analyse the effectiveness and performance of policies
and practices of care centre. Moreover, I learned the role of audit team in managing the
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establishment of heath policies in acre centre. Apart from this I analysed that these policies are
the best which assist the firm in maintaining the stability of its business function. On the other
hand it helps the health care centre in maintaining the appropriateness of services and it helps in
evaluating the need of changes in order to prevent hazardous incidents. Thus, I was amazed to
learn the efforts made by heath centre to establish efficiency and effectiveness in their services.
CONCLUSION
The report summarized the systems, policies and procedures for communicating
information on health and safety. Health and social care services plays a vital role as it health
delivering services which is the best way to serve social welfare. Further, it analysed
responsibilities for the management of health and safety such as, Employer and Employee
responsibilities. Moreover, the report outlined the case and dilemma of Connor Sparrowhawk
who was found unconscious in bath room, now it is the situation in which the nurse can not visit
washroom with the patent whereas leaving patient alone is also not ethical This the situation
which do not suggest the right and wrong among the two circumstances. Moreover, it evaluated
Safety climate tool which is used by NHS to analyse the effectiveness of its safety policies and
practices.
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REFERENCES
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Betancourt, J. R., Green, A. R., Carrillo, J. E. and Owusu Ananeh-Firempong, I.I., 2016.
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Booth, C., Gaspar, H.B. and Thrasher, A.J., 2016. Treating immunodeficiency through HSC
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Brand, D., 2012. Social and health care integration: (1) The individual dimension. Journal of
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Chileshe, N. and Dzisi, E., 2012. Benefits and barriers of construction health and safety
management (HSM) perceptions of practitioners within design organisations. Journal of
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Drummond, M. F and et.al, 2015. Methods for the economic evaluation of health care
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Garcarz, W. and Wilcock, E., 2003. Statutory and Mandatory Training in Health and Social
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Glasby, J., 2012. Understanding Health and Social Care. The Policy Press.
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Moonie, N., 2010. Advanced Health and Social Care. Oxford: Heinemann.
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Sharma, and et.al, 2015. Developments in organic solid–liquid phase change materials and their
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ONLINE
What is your safety climate? Are you measuring it? 2014. [Online]. Available through:
<https://younghygienist.com/2014/04/03/what-is-your-safety-climate-are-you-measuring-it/>.
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