Health and Safety in Healthcare: Impact of Requirements on Customers

This report examines health and safety within the healthcare setting, focusing on Care UK. It explores the importance of health and safety legislation in delivering appropriate patient care and ensuring organizational development. The report delves into risk assessment processes, illustrating how they inform care planning and mitigate potential hazards. It analyzes specific health and safety policies, emphasizing their impact on patient care and employee practices. The consequences of non-compliance with health and safety regulations are also evaluated, highlighting potential risks and impacts on both patients and the organization. Furthermore, the report discusses monitoring and review methods for health and safety policies and practices, analyzing their effectiveness in promoting a positive, healthy, and safe culture within Care UK. The author also evaluates their own contributions to prioritizing the health and safety needs of individuals at Care UK, providing a comprehensive overview of health and safety in a healthcare context.

Health and Safety

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................................1
TASK 2: WAYS IN WHICH HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENT IMPACT ON
CUSTOMERS.................................................................................................................................1
2.1 How information from risk assessment informs care planning.............................................1
2.2 Analysis of one aspect of one relevant policy.......................................................................2
2.3 Impact of non-compliance in relation to health and safety legislation..................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Explaining monitoring and review methods of health and safety policies and practices......4
3.2 Analyzing the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in Care UK in
promoting a positive, healthy and safe culture............................................................................5
3.3 Evaluating own contribution to placing the health and safety needs of individuals at Care
UK................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6
references.........................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Health and safety within workplace is considered to be most important as it is necessary
to deliver appropriate care to the each and every individual who is associated with health care
enterprise. Further, various laws and regulations are being present which are linked with staff
members working in health care along with the services which are rendered to the patients.
Through this legislation it is ensured that proper services are delivered to the patients as per their
expectations and this surely acts as development tool for entire healthcare organization (Fakhimi
and Probert, 2013). Moreover, process of risk assessment is also regarded to be most effective
through which patients can be supported in every possible manner and they can be delivered
appropriate services. For conducting the present study organization chosen is care UK which
delivers large number of healthcare services to the patients. Apart from this report covers various
tasks such as how risk assessment informs planning for care of patients, impact of non-
compliance in relation to health and safety legislation etc.
TASK 2: WAYS IN WHICH HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENT
IMPACT ON CUSTOMERS
2.1 How information from risk assessment informs care planning
Risk assessment is regarded as the effective process with the help of which major risks
associated with care home can be identified easily. Further, it directly allows in taking corrective
actions so as to reduce the level of risk determined. Moreover, risks are defined as the
unfavorable situations which directly harms each and every individual associated with the
healthcare (Herring, 2013). Apart from this, hazards are also somehow same which as
unfavorable impact on the patients along with employees working in the Care UK. In order to
deal with the major risks and hazards it is necessary to take corrective actions well in advance
and it directly assists in accomplishment of major goals associated with the business. Planning
for care of patients is regarded to be most important as through this their need along with
requirement can be undertaken in effective manner and this is fruitful for the Care UK in most
appropriate way. Manager of Care UK can easily obtain data in relation with the major risks and
through this it is quite possible to take effective decisions regarding the same. For instance if any
individual is suffering from dementia then major risks associated with the disease can be
identified such as loss of life etc (Kline and Preston-Shoot, 2012). Through this it is quite
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possible to protect patients from physical harm and is fruitful for the entire healthcare
organization. Care planning along with the process of risk association has direct link with each
other as it is not at all possible for Care UK to build effective care plan where risk assessment
strategies of business are poor. By obtaining accurate data in relation with the kind of risks
present company can easily satisfy need of its patients and this can surely bring fruitful results
for the Care UK. Care planning is only possible when risk assessment process of organization is
effective and through this patients can be safeguarded in effective manner. Risk assessment
allows to safeguard interest of patients along with the clients associated with healthcare and in
turn business can easily operate on wider basis (Lishman, 2007). Apart from this, Care UK can
easily deal with the range of challenges being present in the external environment and to focus
on desired goals and objectives of the organization in every possible manner. Moreover, it can
build internal strength of the enterprise in terms of serving large number of customers in most
appropriate manner. Due to this basic reason process of risk assessment is regarded to be most
important and supports in accomplishment of desired objectives in the market.
2.2 Analysis of one aspect of one relevant policy
In order to deal with the major risks associated with the healthcare enterprise it is
necessary to develop effective policies so that patients along with employees working in the Care
UK can be safeguarded easily. Further, appropriate procedure has to be developed through which
major risks can be identified and in turn it can allow in delivering appropriate services. Health
and safety policies within the workplace are also considered to be effective through which
different standards can be set and in turn quality service can be rendered to each and every
patients which is also effective for the organization also (Morris and et. al., 2005). Health along
with the safety policies within the workplace has crucial impact on each and every operation
where patients can be safeguarded from every type of damage. Therefore, it is the first and
foremost duty of top authorities of Care UK to develop effective policies so that interest of each
and every party associated with business can be safeguarded easily. This can surely support in
development and can provide support in accomplishment of desired aims and objectives. The
range of policies being developed have direct impact on the care being provided to the patients as
their interest can be safeguarded through presence of policies. Apart from this, it is well known
fact that every patient has some sort of expectation from management of the business and
through introduction of large number of policies they can be protected in the form of harm or
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hazard which can take place within the workplace and in turn it can act as development tool for
the entire healthcare organization (Moss, 2012). Policies such as health and safety, enhancing
quality can surely support in safeguarding patients and their expectations can be well met by the
organization. Further, it is necessarily required to provide appropriate information regarding
health and social care policy to the employees of Care UK so that they can easily understand its
importance. Without sharing information regarding the same it is not at all possible to take
benefit of the policy being introduced and in turn it can act as hurdle at the time of focusing on
major operations of the Care UK. Policies can be developed at internal level and through this
overall efficiency of the business can be enhanced easily and in appropriate manner (Price,
2006).
2.3 Impact of non-compliance in relation to health and safety legislation
As per the health and safety legislation each and every care home needs to consider all
rules, regulations and policies. These help in maintaining health and safety at workplace but on
the other hand noncompliance in relation to health and safety legislation has negative impact on
Care UK and its health practices. It is negative affect the all personal and professional practice of
all health and social care workers of care UK (Nolan, 2005). Non-compliance in relation to
health and safety legislation increases personal injury, accidents and incidents rates which may
have negative impacts on physical and mental health of patients. For example, if Care UK does
not consider Fire Protection Act 1971 at the timer of developing organization policy than it may
create security issue for each and every personnel of Care UK. Including this, ineffective
working environment is also one of the major reason which may affect the health and safety of
employees. So, noncompliance with different employment laws may create different health
complications which can also increase the problem for health and social care workers. Overall,
noncompliance of health and safety legislation may raise the probability of death and fatalities in
Care UK.
On the professional front, all health and safety legislations play important role. For
instance, health and safety policies have stated that professionals needs to assure about to take
disciplinary action to resolve issues of number of patients. Inappropriate consideration may
create problem for service users (Sprenger, 2003). In addition, as per the employment Act Care
UK needs to make appropriate training and development program for employees as per their
needs and requirements of health and safety of patient. Noncompliance of these rules and
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regulation create risk for patients and service users. Sometimes, health and social care workers of
research and development departments needs to consider all rules and regulations at the time of
introducing any new drug and medicine. But, if these rules are not considered by them then it
may create risks for patients. Sometimes, noncompliance of regulations may increase fines and
penalties on Care UK which can increase the cost of the organization and affect the overall
financial stability in negative manner (Niles, 2010).
TASK 3
3.1 Explaining monitoring and review methods of health and safety policies and practices
As a health and social care worker I have realized that monitoring and review of policies
and practices are important for improving health and safety of patients in Care UK. There are
different methods for this process. I have used number of ways for monitoring policies and
practices such as log of accident and incidents, observation and supervision, etc. for example, I
generally monitor the data or number of accident and incident log which helped me in
determining the number of patients in Care UK with different types of diseases. Along with this,
it also helped me in providing appropriate intensive care to different patients as per their needs
and requirements (Caan, Stanley and Manthorpe, 2006). Further, I was able for monitoring the
policies of Care UK for treating patients of different types of diseases. Along with this,
observation is also appropriate way of monitoring which were used by me in Care UK. I have
observed each and every patients at the time of providing the treatment and after the treatment. It
helped me in determining the progress and improvement in physical and mental health of
patients. Along with this, Effective supervision on different types of health care facilities play
important role in obtaining knowledge about health care services. Therefore, all the above
discussed methods were very beneficial for monitoring policies and practices of Care UK
(Griffith and Tengnah, 2011).
Review of health care practices and policies plays important role in identifying any
changes which are required for improving quality of health care services (Health and safety in
care homes, 2016). As a health and social care worker I have used inspection, reflective practice
and target setting as review methods. I have generally conducted inspection of medical lab,
whole nursing home and data base of the Care UK. It has helped me in determining the
requirements of drugs, chemicals, and other equipments as per the needs of patients as per the
data base. Along with this, I has used the target method for pointing a single and specific patients
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and their needs and requirements. It helped me in determining the actual facts and care UK
(Kline and Preston-Shoot, 2012). Further, I have used reflective practice such as self-evaluation
and own knowledge for review of the available facilities of the care UK for its patients. It also
helped in determining the actual changes in the policies and practices of the care home.
3.2 Analyzing the effectiveness of health and safety policies and practices in Care UK in
promoting a positive, healthy and safe culture
When I was working as a health and social care worker in Care UK, there are number of health
and safety policies which are used by this care home for promoting positive, healthy and safe
culture. Effectiveness of these policies are described a under:
 Satisfaction of Patients: I have realised that Care UK has included health and safety
policies which helps in improving quality of the services. At that time, this policy have
played important role in maintaining appropriate safety and security for every patients. It
has also satisfied needs and requirements of every patient. Therefore, health and safety
policies helped in increasing the satisfaction of service users and due to this reason they
have provided positive feedback for Care UK (Goodwin, Gruen and Iles, 2006). So, it
was one of the major effectiveness of health and safety policy of Care UK.
 Reduction in number of accident and incidents: Care UK follows appropriate process of
health and safety policies at the time of providing services to patients. It helps in reducing
the chances or probability of risk. It leads reduction in number of daily accidents and
incidents which lead decline in death rate of patient. Along with this, for considering
health and safety policies Care UK have made appropriate arrangement of training and
development program for every employee. It has helped in maintaining health and safety
at workplace (Andrews, Reddy and Whelan, 2011).
 Increment in level of motivation among staff members: When I was working as health
and social care worker I have analysed that Care UK follows health and safety policies
for both patients as well as employees. Therefore, it helped in raising the motivation level
of all staff members. Along with this, it has increased my performance and outcomes
which leads promotion and increment. Therefore, health and safety policies were
effective for both patients as well as employee (Entwistle and Quick, 2006).
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3.3 Evaluating own contribution to placing the health and safety needs of individuals at Care UK
Personal and professional review are known as best methods for determining own
contribution in specific task. Personal evaluation can be completed by reviewing and monitoring
own practices which have used by me at the time of providing health and facilities to different
patients of Care UK. As a health and social care worker I need to assure about the appropriate
consideration of health and safety policies at the time of providing services, Along with this, I
have provided my own contribution in maintaining effective environment at workplace which
also helped in maintaining health and safety (Lishman, 2007). Along with this, I have taken part
in different training and development session for improving my own knowledge and skills. It has
also helped in maintaining reducing different cases which may affect the health and safety of
patients.
Professional review has reflected that I have followed all rules and regulations of Care UK
which have introduced by the care home for safety and security of patients. Along with this, I
performed my roles and responsibilities in appropriate manner which have also helped me in
determining needs of patients. But, sometimes I have faced issues in determining training needs
and requirements of my subordinates. For resolving this issue I have used interview session of
every health and social care worker which helped in determining their needs and improving
health and safety at workplace (Acton, 2013).
CONCLUSION
Report of health and safety has concluded that for maintaining safety and security of
patients as well as employees Care UK needs to follow number of legislations such as Fire
Protection Act 1997and health and safety at work act 1974. Further report has also asserted that
there are number of policies, practices and systems which play significant role in providing
appropriate services to service users. Consideration of these policies play important role in
improving quality of all services which reduced safety and security. Including this, Assessment
of risk, effective employee behavior and waste manager are the major priorities of Care UK
which helped in maintaining health and safety at workplace. Along with this, for monitoring
these policies Care UK needs to use different methods such as observation, personal reflective
and accident and incident log. Overall, report has found that health and safety is one of the major
requirements of Care UK which helps in providing appropriate services to patients.
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Health and safety in care homes. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg220.htm>. [Accessed on 22nd June 2016].
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