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Policy Statement

This domiciliary care agency believes that its service users should expect their quality of life to be enhanced by the provision of a safe, well-maintained and comfortable environment that is suited to their individually assessed needs and promotes their independence wherever possible.

The agency adheres fully to the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.

Adaptations, Modifications and Equipment Policy

It is the policy of this agency that its service users should be provided with the appropriate aids, modifications and equipment necessary to facilitate their independence and address their assessed needs wherever practical and reasonable. The organisation understands that such adaptations and equipment are usually provided through local social services and community equipment stores following appropriate care assessments.

The agency will:

• play a full role in the needs assessment and care planning process, monitoring the condition of service users and advising care managers or commissioners of any change in condition that might require new equipment or adaptations to the service user’s home to ensure that their needs are met safely
• support and facilitate a referral for assessment from a qualified occupational therapist, a community case manager or another appropriate expert to advise on any modifications, adaptations or equipment required to enhance the comfort, health and independence of its service users
• train and encourage domiciliary care staff placed in a service user’s home to report immediately any requirement for new equipment or any defect or potential safety issue relating to existing equipment, where necessary taking the equipment out of service until it has been checked for safety by the equipment provider.

Hoists

All hoists should be in good condition, fit and appropriate for use, regularly serviced and maintained according to manufacturers’ recommendations, and comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. On no account should any member of staff should use a hoist that they consider to be unsafe. Staff should never use a hoist to lift or to move a service user until first trained in the use of the hoist and secondly having their practice supervised.

Lifts

Any “through-the-floor” passenger lift or stairlift installed in any premises that care staff are expected to use as part of the care provided for a service user should comply with all relevant safety provisions including current building regulations and fire safety requirements.

Evidence should be checked that the lift has been inspected for safety on a regular basis and routinely serviced as recommended by the supplier.

Advanced Assistive Technology and Telecare

The organisation understands “advanced assistive technology” or “telecare” to refer to advanced electronic devices which can be deployed to remotely monitor people and/or call for assistance where required. Examples include alarm call systems and pressure sensor systems that automatically call for assistance if not triggered by someone moving about, predictive monitoring systems and bed sensors which can be used to help prevent falls at night.

{{org_field_name}} will support the use of such technologies wherever it is clear that their use can increase the safety, quality of life and independence of service users.

Training

All staff who are required to operate equipment should be fully trained in its operation and given written instructions to follow before they are expected to use the equipment.

All staff are responsible for reporting any health and safety hazards or faults in equipment or aids which might cause them to present a danger to service users, contractors, relatives or staff. All new staff should be given basic hazard identification and risk assessment training during their induction training.

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Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

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