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{{org_field_name}}

Registration Number: {{org_field_registration_no}}

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Emergency Procedures Policy

{{org_field_name}}

1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to set out clear guidance for all staff of {{org_field_name}} on their roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency occurring while on duty at client premises, such as care homes, nursing homes, or other healthcare environments. Temporary healthcare staff must be prepared to respond effectively to emergencies to protect the safety, welfare, and dignity of service users, colleagues, and others. This policy aims to ensure that staff are fully equipped to respond promptly and safely to a wide range of emergencies and to understand their roles within the client’s local procedures. Emergencies may include but are not limited to medical emergencies, fire, security threats, adverse weather, equipment failure, and safeguarding incidents. This policy is designed to comply with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), and other relevant legal frameworks.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All temporary staff engaged by {{org_field_name}}, including registered nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs), senior carers, and support workers
• All directors and office-based staff responsible for supporting placements
• All care settings to which staff are assigned
  It covers the preparation, immediate response, communication, and follow-up actions in the event of emergencies and unexpected incidents during assignments.

3. Related Policies

• Incident and Accident Reporting Policy
• Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy
• Communication and Record-Keeping Policy
• Whistleblowing Policy
• Health and Safety Policy
• Code of Conduct

4. Policy Statement

{{org_field_name}} is committed to ensuring that all staff are able to recognise, respond to, and manage emergencies efficiently to reduce risks, prevent harm, and safeguard service users, colleagues, and members of the public. As a temporary staffing agency supplying healthcare workers, it is essential that all staff understand their duty to:

• Act in the best interests of service users
• Follow emergency protocols set out by the client organisation
• Report emergencies to the appropriate authorities and to {{org_field_name}}
• Record and reflect on all emergencies, incidents, and near misses
  Staff must demonstrate accountability, professionalism, and good judgement at all times during emergencies.

5. Responsibilities

Director
Since {{org_field_name}} does not have a registered manager, the Director will assume full responsibility for:

• Reviewing and updating this policy annually or as required
• Ensuring that all staff are informed of this policy and receive training during induction and ongoing development
• Ensuring emergency incidents reported by staff are reviewed, investigated, and followed up
• Ensuring lessons learned from emergencies are reflected in staff training, supervision, and policy review
• Supporting staff who are involved in emergencies or critical incidents

All Staff
All temporary staff must:

• Familiarise themselves with and follow the client organisation’s emergency procedures as part of their initial orientation at each placement
• Follow {{org_field_name}}’s policies and procedures regarding reporting, documenting, and communicating emergencies
• Take immediate action to protect life and minimise harm when an emergency occurs
• Remain calm and professional when dealing with emergencies
• Cooperate fully with emergency services, client organisations, and {{org_field_name}} when responding to and reviewing emergency events

6. Types of Emergencies Covered by this Policy

Emergencies may include but are not limited to:

• Medical emergencies (e.g., cardiac arrest, stroke, severe allergic reactions, choking)
• Fire and evacuation
• Security incidents (e.g., intruders, aggressive behaviour, missing persons)
• Environmental emergencies (e.g., flood, adverse weather, power failure)
• Safeguarding emergencies (e.g., abuse disclosure, serious self-harm risk)
• Equipment failure affecting the provision of safe care
• Outbreaks of infectious diseases
  All staff must treat any situation where harm is likely to occur as an emergency and respond appropriately.

7. Immediate Action in Emergencies

When faced with an emergency, staff must:

• Prioritise the safety of service users, colleagues, and themselves
• Assess the situation calmly and avoid putting themselves or others at unnecessary risk
• Follow the client organisation’s emergency plan, including raising alarms, calling emergency services, and following evacuation procedures where applicable
• Seek assistance from colleagues and senior staff on duty
• Administer first aid or life-saving interventions if trained and competent to do so
• Record relevant information to support handover to emergency services

8. Medical Emergencies

Staff must:

• Act immediately in life-threatening situations
• Activate the emergency call system within the client setting
• Contact the ambulance service via 999 if appropriate and ensure clear information is provided
• Follow Basic Life Support (BLS) guidelines if trained, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
• Continue to support the service user until emergency services arrive
• Document the incident fully, including time of incident, actions taken, and communication with emergency services
• Report the emergency to {{org_field_name}} within 24 hours using the Incident Reporting Procedure

9. Fire and Evacuation

All staff must:

• Familiarise themselves with the client’s fire safety procedures, escape routes, and assembly points at the start of each assignment
• In the event of a fire, raise the alarm immediately and follow evacuation procedures
• Assist service users to evacuate safely without placing themselves at undue risk
• Only attempt to fight the fire if trained and if it is safe to do so
• Await instructions from the person in charge or emergency services
• Report the incident to {{org_field_name}} as soon as safe to do so

10. Security Incidents

In the event of aggression, violence, missing persons, or unauthorised persons on the premises, staff must:

• Follow the client’s security procedures
• Prioritise personal safety and the safety of service users
• Alert the senior person on duty immediately
• Contact the police if necessary
• Document the incident accurately and report it to {{org_field_name}} without delay

11. Safeguarding Emergencies

If a service user discloses abuse or there is reason to believe that they are at immediate risk, staff must:

• Respond calmly and listen carefully
• Reassure the service user that their concerns will be taken seriously
• Report the concern immediately to the client’s safeguarding lead or most senior person on duty
• Notify {{org_field_name}} using the safeguarding reporting process
• Document the concern factually and confidentially
• Cooperate fully with safeguarding investigations

12. Other Environmental Emergencies

Staff must respond appropriately to environmental emergencies such as flooding, power cuts, or extreme weather events by:

• Following the client’s emergency contingency plans
• Maintaining calm and supporting service users to remain safe
• Reporting the situation to the person in charge
• Contacting {{org_field_name}} where additional support or guidance is required

13. Communication during Emergencies

Clear and effective communication is vital during emergencies. Staff must:

• Remain calm and speak clearly
• Provide accurate information to emergency services
• Document all actions, times, and decisions made
• Ensure information is passed accurately during handover to emergency responders and colleagues
• Inform {{org_field_name}} as soon as practical using the designated contact details

14. Reporting and Documentation

All emergencies, whether resulting in harm or not, must be reported:

• Internally within the client organisation following their procedures
• To {{org_field_name}} using the Incident Reporting Form within 24 hours
  Records must include:
• Date, time, and location of the emergency
• Description of the incident and actions taken
• Who was involved
• Outcome of the emergency
• Details of who was informed and when
  Documentation must be completed accurately, objectively, and securely stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.

15. Post-Incident Support

Staff involved in emergencies may experience stress or emotional impact. {{org_field_name}} will:

• Provide staff with access to debriefing or supervision
• Offer additional support or signposting if required
• Review the incident with the staff member to identify learning and development needs

16. Training

All staff will receive training during induction and ongoing training on:

• Basic Life Support and emergency first aid
• Responding to fire, security, and safeguarding emergencies
• Effective communication during emergencies
• Incident reporting procedures
  Training will be refreshed annually or following incidents where additional learning is identified.

17. Governance and Quality Assurance

The Director will:

• Review all reported emergency incidents as part of routine governance
• Investigate serious incidents and ensure lessons are learned
• Share learning across the workforce through training, supervision, and updates
• Audit incident reports to identify trends or areas requiring improvement

18. Director’s Oversight

The Director will:

• Have overall responsibility for the implementation and effectiveness of this policy
• Lead the review of incidents and ensure appropriate action is taken
• Ensure learning from emergencies is incorporated into policy, training, and staff development
• Report RIDDOR-notifiable incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) where applicable

19. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Director or earlier if changes in legislation, guidance, or incident analysis require it.

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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}}
Copyright © {{current_year}} – {{org_field_name}}. All rights reserved.