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Safety, Availability and Suitability of Equipment (Wales) Policy

Policy Statement

This policy relates to the safe use of equipment used by {{org_field_name}}, including work equipment and equipment used in the care and treatment of the service user. The policy requires that all such equipment is safe to use, appropriately clean, in good working condition, and it provided in such quantities as are required to meet service users’ needs. The policy is written in line with Regulation 48: Facilities and Equipment of the Regulated Services (Service Providers and Responsible Individuals) (Wales) Regulations 2017 and guidance on the maintenance of specific items and devices.

The organisation recognises the importance of equipment and adaptations to the lives of service users, especially in encouraging independence, dignity and safety, and makes the safe use of such equipment a high priority.

The service understands “equipment” refers to the range of devices and facilities that service users need and use in their daily living, for which the service has a contractual responsibility and duty of care to provide and/or maintain in good order.

This could include beds, special mattresses, chairs, lifts, hoists, wheelchairs, mobility and sensory aids, safety devices such as bed rails, all medical equipment and personal safety equipment used by staff.

Note:

This would not apply to all domiciliary support services but care staff in any service will always need to operate any equipment safely and with health and safety considerations in mind.

The service continually ensures that its service users have all equipment and devices:

• available in sufficient quantities in order to meet users’ needs
• in safe working order
• suitable for their stated purpose
• compliant with all relevant laws
• installed, used and maintained correctly with reference to the specifications, manufacturers’ instructions and relevant guidance
• properly maintained, tested, serviced and renewed under a recorded programme
• stored safely and securely to prevent theft, damage or misuse
• used by staff who are trained and competent in the use of the equipment.

Maintenance of equipment

{{org_field_name}} understands its responsibility to ensure that all equipment is safe to use and appropriately maintained and serviced.

To make sure that all equipment is maintained in line with manufacturers’ instructions and other guidance it delegates to named competent staff members responsibilities for understanding and implementing the maintenance requirements of all products that fall within the scope of the regulations. These responsibilities include regular monitoring and auditing of the equipment and its maintenance requirements, record keeping and arranging for repairs, replacements and regular servicing.

Staff are expected to report to the appropriate nominated person any matter relating to the equipment for which they have delegated responsibilities.

Correct use of equipment

The service makes sure that staff are always trained in the correct use of any equipment provided for use in their work and for helping service users make correct and effective use of the devices they use.

It makes sure that all equipment used by staff at work is suitable for the task to be carried out and safe for use, and that each staff member has received adequate information, instruction and training.

The service management accepts responsibility for making sure that in the use of any equipment or device:

• a general risk assessment has been completed
• suitable personal protective clothing is worn at all times when necessary for the safe operation of the equipment
• it is regularly maintained and inspected
• staff are appropriately trained and competent to carry out their roles in relation to the equipment
• there are arrangements in place for reporting and addressing adverse events, incidents, errors and near misses where these relate to use of equipment and devices
• there are contingency arrangements in place in the event of equipment failure, including where caused by electricity, water or gas supply.

The service is aware that incidents involving equipment failure might have to be reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). Where required, serious incidents involving medical devices will be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Adequacy and suitability of equipment

The service is committed to making sure that equipment is provided to meet every user’s assessed needs in line with its responsibilities for addressing and meeting those needs.

It works with service users to identify in each individual case any suitable equipment or device that will support the person on their daily living and promote their independence, self-respect, confidence, privacy and dignity. It works with service users who might not have the capacity to take their own decisions about using equipment and devices and their representatives in line with “best interests” practice and procedures.

These make sure that decisions are always taken to make sure that the person’s welfare and safety are paramount.

It also will assess with the person any risks associated with the use of any piece of equipment and device and work out a plan to manage any identified risks.

The service works with other agencies and professionals, eg occupational therapists, to make sure that each user has the equipment appropriate to their needs and is able to make effective and safe use of it.

Promoting Independence

The service is committed to using equipment and devices safely to promote independence and to preserve a person’s dignity and confidence. It does this by, wherever needed and appropriate, working with other professionals, such as occupational therapists and physiotherapists, to find, obtain and make effective use of equipment such as:

• suitable mobility aids, walking frames, wheeled walkers and sticks
• special cutlery, crockery and cups to enable service users to feed themselves
• non-slip table mats to prevent crockery and cups slipping
• bath seats and raised toilet seats
• easy-grip items such as scissors, combs, hairbrushes, etc
• jar and bottle openers
• pill dispensers
• dressing aids such as sock and stocking pullers and button hooks, etc
• recreational requirements in line with service users’ needs and interests
• assistive technology and telecare devices.

The service always follows the general principle that people should be cared for in the least restrictive environment possible. Equipment and furniture which restricts movement, eg special chairs or bed rails, is used only as a last resort and considered only following a multidisciplinary risk assessment. Such equipment and furniture is always based on the individual’s safety and best interests and is never for the convenience of {{org_field_name}} or staff.

Training

All staff are trained in the correct operation of all equipment that they come into contact with or are expected to use as part of their job. This is to make sure that all staff involved in using equipment have the competence and skills needed to use it safely and to know what to do to ensure people remain safe.

Nominated staff responsible for the maintenance and quality assurance of specific items of equipment or areas of equipment management all receive the relevant training.

All training is updated as needed to reflect changes in the safe use of equipment and devices.

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

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

Next Review Date: {{next_review_date}}

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