Health and Safety Legislation and Policy Analysis: Graceland Report

This report examines health and safety practices at Graceland, an adult day care center specializing in care for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's. The report delves into the importance of health and safety within the health and social care sector, emphasizing the responsibility of organizations to ensure the well-being of staff, service users, and visitors. It reviews relevant UK legislation, including the Health Records and Information Privacy Act and the Data Protection Act, and analyzes communication methods employed to disseminate health and safety information. The report assesses the responsibilities of employers, employees, service users, and visitors in maintaining a safe environment. A significant portion is dedicated to risk assessment, specifically for a service user named Ted Jenkins, outlining safety priorities and mitigation strategies. The report analyzes how information from risk assessments informs care planning and discusses the impact of policies, such as hand hygiene, on promoting a positive and safe culture. The report also addresses the implications of non-compliance with legislation and the monitoring and review of health and safety policies, concluding with an evaluation of how the health and safety needs of service users are prioritized.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2 ..........................................................................................................................................3
1.3 Identifying health and safety priorities for risk assessment of Ted Jenkins .........................3
2.1 Analyzing how information from risk assessment informs about care planning .................4
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Analyzing the impact of hand hygiene policy ......................................................................5
3.2 Analyzing effectiveness of policy in promoting a positive, health and safe culture ............6
2.4 Analyzing the effect of non compliance with legislation ....................................................6
3.1 Explanation of how health and safety policies are monitored and reviewed .......................7
TASK 4 ...........................................................................................................................................8
2.3 Discussion on how dilemmas can be encountered ................................................................8
3.3 Evaluating how the health and safety needs of Faith are kept at center of practice .............9
1.3 Analyzing the benefits of following a person centered approach with Faith .......................9
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Health and safety is considered as vital aspect in the Health and social care (HSC) sector.
It is important in HSC as it supports in providing care by integration of health and social care
services. Like every organization, health and social care setting has to look after the health and
safety of staff, service users and all the others who are associated directly and indirectly with the
organization (Bowen, Privitera and Bowie, 2011). As health care organization has the
responsibility of improving the health of its patients, it is extremely important to implement
procedures and system for providing safety to the service users (Flynn, Eggerth and Jacobson,
2015). The present report is prepared to cover the health and safety aspects at a new adult day
care centre called Graceland. The organization addresses the health and social care needs of
older adults with dementia and Alzheimers disease. In the report, an understanding will be
developed with respect to continually monitoring the implementation of health and safety
legislation and policies within the organization. Implications of relevant legislation will be done.
Further, the report will assess the importance of record keeping, monitoring and reviewing of
health and safety procedures.
TASK 1
1.1 reviewing systems, policies and procedures for communicating information on health and
safety in accordance with legislative requirement
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Brief explanation of legislation
Legislation is defined as a process or act of making laws and enacted by governing body. Laws
are rules and norms which are regulated by authorirty for meeting various purposes. It is
improtnat as it helps to serve the purposes such as setting stnadards and controls. They are
referred to as statutory laws. These are importhnat instruments which protectecting rights and
responsibilities of an individual. Systems, policies and procedures for communicating
information on health and safety in the day care center can be reviewed. These are in accordance
with various legislations which have been explained below:
Main health and safety legislation in the uk
1: health records and information privacy act, 2002 - As per this legislation, it is mandatory for
the day care center to keep the information pertaining to patients in a private manner. This act
also provides an accessible framework with the help of which complaints and conflicts in the
area of communication of information can be resolved.
The systems, policies and procedures for communicating information at graceland should be
according to this act.
Data protection act 1998 - the processing of personal data, which is held in manual or electronic
form, is regulated by this act. Along with the health records, this act also applies to the personal
information. This act requires graceland to comply with eight data protection principles and
observing the rights of the patients. The medical information of a patient can only be obtained
for one or more specified and lawful purpose. The medical information pertaining to the patients
shall not be kept for longer than necessary. The personal data related to patients should be
processed and communicated in a lawful manner
Law about communicating health and safety in the workplace - The laws regarding
communicating health and safety at workplace sets out the ways in which employees must
consult in different work situations. The significance of communicating respective laws at
workplace is to:
To aware about various measures that supports health and safety at work to all members
To monitor effectiveness of measures to be taken
1.2 Identifying communication methods used to inform about health and safety
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There are various communications methods which are used for making individuals associated at
work about helath and safety. The things are conveyed to them by using effective methods
identified as follows:
1: Communication strategy
2. Diagonal communication method
3. Written communication
Communication methods at Graceland
In accordance with the above legislations, the following communication methods are used at
Graceland for communication health and safety information.
1. Communication strategy
Graceland uses an effective communication strategy which follows top to bottom communication
of information related to health and safety.
This strategy comprises of systems and policies with the help of which the staff at the lowest
level in the organization is communicated details about health and safety at work.
2. Diagonal communication method through meetings
This communication method adopted by Graceland ensures that there is inter departmental
communication of health and safety information.
Method of verbal communication is adopted in the meeting where the staff is informed about
health and safety policies.
3. Written communication
This communication method is also adopted by Graceland in which guidelines are released in the
form of Brochures and leaflets.
These are displayed on the tag boards within the day care centre.
1.3 assessing responsibilities in Graceland for management of health and safety
Responsibility of health and safety
Every worker who plays role and espoinsibilty at the workplace is entitled to do job in
environments. In this respect, they are also responsible to do work that are associated with
controllling of risk to their health and safety.
According to health and safety law, it is the primary responsibility of the employers. They have a
duty to consult with their staff members, representatives, on health and safety matters.
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Importance to knowing and follow health and safety responsibilities
 To ensure a safe and healthy workplace as a part of legal responsibility.
 To provide good health and safety management practices for encouraging higher staff
retention and increased productivity and efficiency.
To take key steps associated with health and safety management such as identify, assess and
manage hazards; involve employees in the process to improve health and safety; and provide
information, training and supervision for employees
Employers,employees,service users and visitors responsibilities
The responsibilities in Graceland in relation to organizational structure has been explained as:
Employer's Responsibility Employee’s responsibility Service users'
Director- The director of day care
center has the responsibility of the
overall health and safety of staff,
patients and visitors.
Health and social care worker- He has the
responsibility to follow the policies and procedures. He
is also responsible for protecting the rights of older
patients suffering from dementia and Alzheimers.
He is also responsible for protecting the service users
against all kinds of harms and dangers.
Service users-
to adhering t
them by the c
and safety pro
Health and safety executive- he has
the responsibility to enforce various
acts and statutory instruments in
relation to health and safety at the
care centre.
Ward manager- He has the responsibility of ensuring
that the staff is properly trained in health and safety
procedures.
Visitors- the
their own as w
safety. It is th
the rules of the
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TASK 2
1.3 Identifying health and safety priorities for risk assessment of Ted Jenkins
Brief explanation of risk assessments
The risk and safety priorities can be determined for Ted Jenkins with the help of risk
assessment. Risk assessment refers to the process of carefully examining the aspects that can be
harmful to people. It is concerned with assessing the measures that have been taken for
preventing harm to the people and the further actions that can be taken in this direction (Risk
assessment — the key to healthy workplaces, 2008)
Importance of risk assessment
It is very important to do risk assessments because it forms the most vital part of a good
occupational health and safety management plan. It is required to do risk assessment at the
workplace for creating awareness of risks and hazards (Ellstrom, 2012). It is crucial to identify
the individual who are at risk. These are employees, carers, guests, cleaners contractors, the
public, etc.
Ted Jenkins’s risk assessment
The following risk assessment has been carried out for determining general and safety
risks for Ted.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Client: Ted Jenkins
Ted Jenkins is 70 year old male who has dementia and is slowly declining in cognitive ability
and is prone to depression. He is recently experiencing a loss of balance as evidence by falls.
Safety Priority Why is it a safety priority? How do you deal with this?
Safety from falling
It is a safety priority as Ted
Jenkins has a risk of falling. He
is recently experiencing loss of
balance. This may lead to
serious injuries.
It is deal by providing him
with a walking aid. Also, the
floor is kept clean so that he
does not trip over objects or
slip on spillages.
It is required to be taken To deal with the same, Ted
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Safety from road accident
and getting lost
primarily as it involves risk
where Ted Jenkins suffers from
dementia and may lack road
awareness. In that case, she may
be injured by meeting with an
accident if she steps out of the
care centre.
Jenkins is not allowed to
move out alone.
Safety from doing day to day
activities alone
It is a safety priority as patient
with dementia need practical
support while carrying out their
everyday activities otherwise
they may get hurt (Faden and
et.al., 2013).
In order to deal with this,
occupational therapist is
appointed who assists Ted
Jenkins and suggests her ways
to carry out daily living
activities.
Safety from poor lighting It is required to be taken
primarily as dementia may
damage visual system of Ted
Jenkins also she is older person
and hence needs more light to
see clearly. This may also be a
risk as Mr. Jenkins suffer from
depression and reduced light
may aggravate the problem.
It can be managed by
increasing light levels (Safety
in the home, 2015). Daylight
issued wherever possible.
Also, uniform lighting
arrangements are done across
all spaces.
Safety from improper
storage of dangerous
substances
It is a safety priority because
Ted Jenkins, have confusion,
memory loss and disorientation
due to dementia. Due to this, she
may consume or misuse
dangerous substances.
To deal with this safety
priority, management of risk
and dangerous substances are
made by storing them
appropriately (Health and
Safety Executive, 2015).
2.1 Analysing how information from risk assessment informs about care planning
Care plan
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A care plan is defined as an agreement which is set out between service user and health
care professional. It is helpful for managing day to day activities at the workplace. Generally, it
is considered in the form of written document (Gray, D. and Williams, 2011). But, it can also be
record in the form of patient notes. Patient or service user who is having long term issue and
treatment with the doctor can take part in writing their care plan.
Importance of writing care plans
It is very significant to write care plans as it is an essential part of health care. However,
without a specific document which shows the proper care plan, significant issues are disregarded.
Care planning is vital as it provides a "road map" and guide to all individuals who are involved
with a patient/resident's care (Ennis and Harrington, 2002). Care planning process must involve
all fields that are part of patients care and treatment. From the risk assessment of Ted Jenkins,
useful information is obtained which helps in making care plan. The care pan of Ted highlights
some areas of risk which are getting lost, slips and trips, stress, mental health. These areas have
been identified from the risk assessment.
Kind of information that goes into care plans
The following information that comes from risk assessment are involved in care plan:
 Work objectives such as getting out of the house more, returning to work, or starting a
hobby.
 Support services such as in charge of imparting support services to be carried out
 Emergency contact numbers, for instance, doctors.
 Medicines
 An eating plan (Ellstrom, 2012)
 An exercise plan
Information that comes from risk assessment
Information from risk assessment informs about care planing of individuals and
organizational decision making regarding policies and procedures. Further, most importantly, the
information provided by risk assessment helped in setting goals for safety of Ted. These are
better orientation to the environment, reduced falls and improved mood (Burau and Blank,
2006). It is only on the basis of these goals, the actions to be taken with respect to Ted are
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decided. Therefore, it can be seen that risk assessment informs about care planning of
individuals.
Importance of having risk assessments done first in order to complete a care plan
Effective assessment is considered as a central function to care planning. This is prepared
to bring positive results. Assessment is define as a process which helps the care service provider
to collect the information regarding service user (Bowen, Privitera and Bowie, 2011). The
purpose behind the same is to identify the abilities and need. Hence, risk assessments done first
in order to complete a care plan is vital for meeting the purposes of care planning. Information
from risk assessment helps in organizational decision making through policies and procedures in
the following ways:
 It informs Graceland about risks and harms that patients with dementia can face.
Therefore, in response to those harms, the day care centre is able to make procedures
regarding installation to improved lighting, clear passages, provision of walking aids etc
(Burnes and Pope, 2007).
 Risk assessment informed about the harm that can be caused due to improper storage of
dangerous substances such as cleaning agents, medicines etc. Hence, Graceland can make
proper policies regarding storage of dangerous substances.
 As per the risk assessment, dementia patient have risk of getting loss (Gray and Williams,
2011). Therefore, the organization can make procedures with which appropriate attention
and protection can be given to the patients.
TASK 3
2.2 Analysing the impact of hand hygiene policy
Culture and its significance in the health and social care practice
The term 'culture' is defined as an aspect of individuality, which is possessed by all.
Culture refers to number of facets that are shared with others (Ferrett, 2012). These are inclusive
of language, beliefs, shared history, behaviour, festivals, musical taste, apparels, diet etc.
In respect to health and social care, there has been a transformation in recent years
towards ‘cultural competence’. It is considered as a key aspect for working of all professional
practice. The thought or idea of employing staff member being ‘competent’ in doing job with
others from different cultures is a biggest move (Burnes and Pope, 2007). It is all about meeting
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the ‘sensitive’ needs of other people. Professionals are required to be competent in working with
difference and culture. It is because as opposed to being merely ‘sensitive’ about it has gained
strength in recent years.
Ways of developing a positive health and safety culture at a health and social care workplace
Following are some ways which have been listed to show the development of a positive
health and safety culture at a health and social care workplace:
 By identifying joint solutions to problems encountered at workplace
 To develop a positive health and safety culture to workout risks.
 To minimizes ill health condition and accidents and associated costs
 By meeting the improvements for efficiency, quality and productivity
 By meeting customer demands and hold credibility (Ellstrom, 2012)
 By complying with legislation and legal requirements.
Impact of promoting the hand hygiene policy on health and social care practice and its
customers
Hand hygiene policy which is followed at Graceland day care centre has significant
impact on health and social care practice. Hand hygiene is considered to be the most important
factor in prevention of infection and cross contamination (Hillier and et.al., 2009). The policy
impacts health and social practice in the following ways:
 It instructs the staff and workers to practice hand hygiene before patient contact. This
helps in adopting good practice of making the hands germ free before the come in contact
with the patient.
 The policy positively impacts health practice by informing the staff and making them
knowledgeable about when to perform hand hygiene (Hothi, 2004). It also makes the
staff aware about preparation for hand hygiene.
 The policy sets standards for hand hygiene. Adherence to these standards makes the
environment of the day care centre infection free. Therefore, the policy promotes
compliance with hand hygiene standards and thus safe environment to the staff, patients
and visitors (Ferrett, 2012).
 The policy also impacts customers in positive manner as they get better and safe care and
treatment which is free from the risk of infection.
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3.2 Analysing effectiveness of policy in promoting a positive, health and safe culture
Effects of promoting a positive health and safety culture
The policy of hand hygiene is effective at promoting a positive and safe culture at
Graceland day care centre. The policy incorporates hand hygiene training which is to be
imparted to the staff members (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009). This suggests that the staff in
provided knowledge and information about the right process of performing hand hygiene. They
are also aware of the cleaning agents that are to be used to make their hands free of disease
causing pathogens. Therefore, it ensures that the staff performs hand hygiene before and after
every patient contact. With this, the risk of transmission of infectious microorganisms from one
person to another is reduced. In this way, a healthy and safe culture is promoted by the hand
hygiene policy. It also promotes positive culture as it gives a boost to the morale of the staff.
This is because the staff feel good to work in a organization which promotes compliance with
good hygiene (Lefstedt, 2011). Also, it leads to improvement of the image of day care center
among the staff members as they view Graceland as a responsible organization. Moreover, the
patients and their family members and visitors also feel positive in a clean and risk free
environment. They are assured about the safety of their loved ones. In this way, hand hygiene
policy promotes safe, healthy and positive culture at Graceland.
2.4 Analysing the effect of non compliance with legislation
Health and safety legislation that the hand hygiene policy comes under
Hand hygiene policy is covered under the legislation of Workplace (Health, safety and
Welfare) Regulations 1992 and also under HSE guidance INDG293.
Implication of non-compliance to this legislation in the Graceland Day Center
Non compliance with this legislation can have various effects on Graceland day care
centre. These have been analysed below:
 Action can be taken by Health and Safety Executive which can debar the care centre
from providing services. This is because if the legislation is not complied with, the care
centre will be providing its services in an illegal manner (Collins, 2009). It would be
threatening for the life of patients, staff as well as visitors as they would be at the risk of
developing infection.
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