Monday, 20 December 2010
Friday, 17 December 2010
What Is a Lone Worker?
The HSE (Health & Safety Executive) define lone workers as “those who work by themselves without close or direct supervision”.
Most employees will work alone at some point - even if it is being the first or the last person in the office, locking up the shopping Mall, or responding as a key holder to your premises.
- Are your lone workers at risk from being attacked or being verbally abused by customers?
- Are they providing a service to the community?
- Are they instructed by you to meet any one on your behalf alone?
- Do they lock up or respond to your premises alone?
Employed lone workers
If you employ lone workers, you have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. You may, however, need to take extra precautions to ensure that lone workers are at no greater risk than your other employees.
Lone workers may be affected by many of the same health and safety risks as other workers. But there are potential risks which are more likely to affect lone workers, therefore you should:
- Ensure lone workers have no medical conditions which may make them unsuitable for the lone-working role they have been assigned.
- Be aware that some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous to be carried out by an unaccompanied worker.
- Provide some level of supervision - such as regular visits - for lone workers.
- Put contact procedures in place for emergencies so that the alarm can be raised and prompt medical attention provided if there is an accident.
- Make provision for Lone Workers - from fast-food delivery drivers to security personnel - who may be faced with a risk of violence.
- Check whether there are specific legal requirements for your lone workers.
Most employees will work alone at some point - even if it is being the first or the last person in the office, locking up the shopping Mall, or responding as a key holder to your premises.
- Are your lone workers at risk from being attacked or being verbally abused by customers?
- Are they providing a service to the community?
- Are they instructed by you to meet any one on your behalf alone?
- Do they lock up or respond to your premises alone?
Employed lone workers
If you employ lone workers, you have the same responsibilities for their health and safety as for any other employees. You may, however, need to take extra precautions to ensure that lone workers are at no greater risk than your other employees.
Lone workers may be affected by many of the same health and safety risks as other workers. But there are potential risks which are more likely to affect lone workers, therefore you should:
- Ensure lone workers have no medical conditions which may make them unsuitable for the lone-working role they have been assigned.
- Be aware that some tasks may be too difficult or dangerous to be carried out by an unaccompanied worker.
- Provide some level of supervision - such as regular visits - for lone workers.
- Put contact procedures in place for emergencies so that the alarm can be raised and prompt medical attention provided if there is an accident.
- Make provision for Lone Workers - from fast-food delivery drivers to security personnel - who may be faced with a risk of violence.
- Check whether there are specific legal requirements for your lone workers.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Telecare and telehealth guide from Counsel and Care
Counsel and Care (the national charity working with older people, their families and carers to get the best care and support) has launched a new guide on telehealth and telecare. Informing readers of what it is and how to get it.
Developed together with Tunstall, the guide is available here.
Developed together with Tunstall, the guide is available here.
Lone NHS workers get personal alarms
Hundreds of NHS staff in Gwent who work alone or away from colleagues, are being given an alarm device to boost their safety and security.
The device is part of a one-way mobile phone system supported by a GPS tracking programme.
When the device is activated, an alarm is raised at a constantly manned centre from where the member of staff can be located, and the police can be alerted if it is believed their safety is under threat.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board staff who work alone - such as many people who work in community services or in mental health - are being given the device.
Evidence obtained from the devices will be used to pursue action against people who attack or abuse them.
The Argus reported yesterday that prosecutions of people using violence or aggression toward NHS staff are on the rise, backed up where possible by CCTV evidence, as in recent cases involving incidents at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
With 15,000 employees the health board is Gwent's largest employer, and with staff employed far and wide in providing a range of services that require them to work alone, board chiefs want to make sure they are adequately protected and supported.
"We are committed to preventing violence and aggression against staff, patients and visitors both on our premises and in the community," said Jan Smith, director of therapies and health sciences, and the health board's champion for violence and aggression.
"Whilst the vast majority of patients and relatives treat staff with respect, there are instances when for a variety of reasons lone staff are at risk.
"These alarms will help to ensure the safety of both the staff member and the patients in their care.
"Through the purchase of these devices, the health board can provide further support to our lone workers and demonstrate our strong commitment to enhance staff security."
The new system is part of an all-Wales project part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The device is part of a one-way mobile phone system supported by a GPS tracking programme.
When the device is activated, an alarm is raised at a constantly manned centre from where the member of staff can be located, and the police can be alerted if it is believed their safety is under threat.
Aneurin Bevan Health Board staff who work alone - such as many people who work in community services or in mental health - are being given the device.
Evidence obtained from the devices will be used to pursue action against people who attack or abuse them.
The Argus reported yesterday that prosecutions of people using violence or aggression toward NHS staff are on the rise, backed up where possible by CCTV evidence, as in recent cases involving incidents at the Royal Gwent Hospital.
With 15,000 employees the health board is Gwent's largest employer, and with staff employed far and wide in providing a range of services that require them to work alone, board chiefs want to make sure they are adequately protected and supported.
"We are committed to preventing violence and aggression against staff, patients and visitors both on our premises and in the community," said Jan Smith, director of therapies and health sciences, and the health board's champion for violence and aggression.
"Whilst the vast majority of patients and relatives treat staff with respect, there are instances when for a variety of reasons lone staff are at risk.
"These alarms will help to ensure the safety of both the staff member and the patients in their care.
"Through the purchase of these devices, the health board can provide further support to our lone workers and demonstrate our strong commitment to enhance staff security."
The new system is part of an all-Wales project part-funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
Invicta Telecare collects TSA award
Invicta Telecare collected its European Technical Specification Award at the Telecare Services Association’s (TSA) prestigious annual National Telecare and Telehealth conference held in London.
Wendy Turner, head of Invicta Telecare was presented the award in recognition of becoming the first organisation in the UK to achieve the European Standard in Social Alarm Monitoring services, and only the second to achieve it in the module for Response, through the TSA.
Wendy commented: “We are so proud of our achievements and feel this award is a wonderful endorsement of our services and a reflection of the great strides we have made since we opened our monitoring centre in 1986. Back then we provided a community alarm service to 300 residents for Group partner Russet, and employed just a handful of operators based in one small office at Larkfield in West Malling.
“Today our 24 hour 365 day service responds to an average of almost 4000 calls a day and employs close to 200 staff based at three offices. We provide services to around 150 different organisations including local authorities, housing associations, charities, private organisations as well as around 3000 individual customers.”
Wendy Turner, head of Invicta Telecare was presented the award in recognition of becoming the first organisation in the UK to achieve the European Standard in Social Alarm Monitoring services, and only the second to achieve it in the module for Response, through the TSA.
Wendy commented: “We are so proud of our achievements and feel this award is a wonderful endorsement of our services and a reflection of the great strides we have made since we opened our monitoring centre in 1986. Back then we provided a community alarm service to 300 residents for Group partner Russet, and employed just a handful of operators based in one small office at Larkfield in West Malling.
“Today our 24 hour 365 day service responds to an average of almost 4000 calls a day and employs close to 200 staff based at three offices. We provide services to around 150 different organisations including local authorities, housing associations, charities, private organisations as well as around 3000 individual customers.”
Friday, 10 December 2010
Charge for day care services
DURHAM County Council wants to start charging for day care services.
Durham County Council chiefs are consulting on introducing a means-tested charging system.
They say the proposals would bring day care users in line with people receiving residential care, home care, extra care and telecare.
People can currently attend day care centres in the county for free, although some do contribute to transport costs.
Graham Bainbrige, the council’s head of finance for adults, wellbeing and health, said: “Our current policy of providing some services at subsidised rates and others free of charge is not fair, equal or consistent.”
The council has launched a 12- week consultation, ending on Friday, February 11. For details, visit durham.gov.uk/consultation, call 0191-383-5217 or visit a library.
Durham County Council chiefs are consulting on introducing a means-tested charging system.
They say the proposals would bring day care users in line with people receiving residential care, home care, extra care and telecare.
People can currently attend day care centres in the county for free, although some do contribute to transport costs.
Graham Bainbrige, the council’s head of finance for adults, wellbeing and health, said: “Our current policy of providing some services at subsidised rates and others free of charge is not fair, equal or consistent.”
The council has launched a 12- week consultation, ending on Friday, February 11. For details, visit durham.gov.uk/consultation, call 0191-383-5217 or visit a library.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
Snow stops UK but not Invicta Telecare
Airports shut down, trains stopped and offices and roads closed but once again Invicta Telecare staff rallied round and made it into work against all the odds to keep a lifesaving service up and running.
Whilst the rest of the county came to a grinding halt under a blanket of snow staff went to extreme lengths to get into work. Based in Kent, Invicta Telecare was actually worst hit than most areas with snowfalls of over 40cms.
Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Invicta Telecare provides a comprehensive range of Telecare services to over 94,000 homes enabling vulnerable people, both young and old, to live safely, happily and independently in their own home. Staff at three monitoring centres respond to emergency calls triggered by an alarm activated in peoples home.
Wendy Turner, Head of Invicta Telecare, said: “Despite the treacherous weather conditions the determination of our staff to make sure there were enough people to keep our service running never ceases to amaze me. Lack of transport was no obstacle as staff often walked for over two hours in snow, knee deep and in temperatures well below freezing.
“We even had calls from the ambulance service who were stuck in the snow asking us to help. We rang people on their behalf who were very distressed waiting to be taken to hospital for emergency treatment and offered them comfort and reassurance.”
Fortunately this year Invicta had planned ahead and saw an opportunity to arrange for staff to handle calls from home. This is the first time this has been put into operation and proved to be really successful.
Another important service is Invicta Telecare’s out of hours call handling on behalf of sheltered schemes, housing associations and local authorities. As many organisations were unable to cope due to lack of staff, Invicta Telecare stepped in and managed their calls as hundreds of people rang to report emergency repairs or asking for help owing to the adverse weather.
Whilst the rest of the county came to a grinding halt under a blanket of snow staff went to extreme lengths to get into work. Based in Kent, Invicta Telecare was actually worst hit than most areas with snowfalls of over 40cms.
Part of Circle Anglia – one of the UK’s leading providers of affordable housing - Invicta Telecare provides a comprehensive range of Telecare services to over 94,000 homes enabling vulnerable people, both young and old, to live safely, happily and independently in their own home. Staff at three monitoring centres respond to emergency calls triggered by an alarm activated in peoples home.
Wendy Turner, Head of Invicta Telecare, said: “Despite the treacherous weather conditions the determination of our staff to make sure there were enough people to keep our service running never ceases to amaze me. Lack of transport was no obstacle as staff often walked for over two hours in snow, knee deep and in temperatures well below freezing.
“We even had calls from the ambulance service who were stuck in the snow asking us to help. We rang people on their behalf who were very distressed waiting to be taken to hospital for emergency treatment and offered them comfort and reassurance.”
Fortunately this year Invicta had planned ahead and saw an opportunity to arrange for staff to handle calls from home. This is the first time this has been put into operation and proved to be really successful.
Another important service is Invicta Telecare’s out of hours call handling on behalf of sheltered schemes, housing associations and local authorities. As many organisations were unable to cope due to lack of staff, Invicta Telecare stepped in and managed their calls as hundreds of people rang to report emergency repairs or asking for help owing to the adverse weather.
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