First Aid at Work in Care Homes Policy

Policy Statement

This policy is designed to promote the health, safety and welfare of people who live here, staff and visitors through the provision of suitable first-aid equipment and trained first-aid personnel in compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981.

Aims of the Policy

{{org_field_name}} understands that the aim of providing first aid is to save lives and to ensure that minor injuries and illnesses sustained during the course of work do not escalate into major ones. The aim of this policy is therefore to ensure that:

a suitable and sufficient first-aid risk assessment is carried out and made subject to regular review
a suitable number of staff are nominated and appropriately trained as qualified first aiders in accordance with the findings of the risk assessment
qualified first aiders are supported by a number of appointed persons if required
suitably stocked and marked first-aid kits are made available at appropriate locations throughout workplace
all staff are fully informed with regard to first-aid arrangements
written records are maintained of any accidents, reportable injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences that require a first-aid response

Risk Assessment

{{org_field_name}} will conduct a risk assessment of all workplace activities, facilities and hazards in order to determine first-aid risks and needs. The assessment will be regularly updated and reviewed, particularly where there is any change in working arrangements or where new risks may be identified.

The assessment will pay particular attention to:

any use of machinery, tools or equipment
any use of medical “sharps”
the storage or use of potentially hazardous substances
the potential for workplace violence or aggression
lone working risks
existing levels of first-aid support
the time taken to summon emergency medical assistance should it be needed

The risk assessment will be based on guidance contained in L74 First Aid at Work, the code of practice published by the Health & Safety Executive.

From the risk assessment a judgment will be made as to how many trained and qualified first aiders will be required to provide an effective and safe response to the potential risk of accidents and injuries during working hours.

A judgment will also be made as to how many fixed and portable first-aid kits should be available and where they are to be located/who they should be allocated to.

In determining the level of provision required the organisation will take into consideration:

provision required during holidays
adequacy of the provision to account for predicted staff absences
provision of first-aid for off-site activities and lone workers
provision for shift workers and night staff

Specific consideration will be given to staff or people who have special health needs or disabilities.

Qualified First-Aiders

All qualified first-aiders will be expected to hold a current certificate of competence that demonstrates they have successfully attended and completed appropriate training. Such certificates are usually valid for three years and then need to be refreshed. Recognised best practice is for first aiders to attend annual updates in between their 3 yearly refreshers.

{{org_field_name}} will:

support new first-aider candidates to identify, arrange and attend appropriate initial certification courses
support qualified first aiders to find and attend suitable 3 yearly refresher training courses and appropriate annual updates

Refresher training and retesting of competence should be arranged at least three months before certificates expire.

Appointed Persons

An appropriate number of appointed persons will be identified to support the qualified first-aiders.

Responsibilities will include:

looking after the first-aid equipment, restocking first-aid containers when required and replacing out-of-date materials
calling for an ambulance or other professional medical help when needed

Appointed persons will be given suitable training as required. They will not be called upon to perform any hands-on first aid duties except in unforeseen circumstances, such as where a first-aider is absent due to illness, etc.

Management

An identified manager will be responsible for overseeing first-aid arrangements.

The manager will be expected to:

undertake the regular risk assessments and review them as appropriate
keep an up to date list of all qualified first-aiders, including the dates of their training and the dates of required refresher training
identify additional first-aider volunteers where numbers are predicted to fall below the level whereby all shifts and working patterns can be covered
help with organising suitable training
monitor the appropriate recording of accidents and near misses that require first-aid and review the effectiveness of the first-aid response to incidents
order first-aid equipment and supplies as required
ensure that full-time, part-time and temporary staff are familiar with first-aid arrangements

First-aid Materials, Equipment and Facilities

An appropriate number of first-aid kits will be made available at various points around the home. These will be of the appropriate size and type and will be kept stocked with appropriate first-aid materials and equipment as informed by the risk assessment and by British Standard BS8599.

First-aid containers will be:

marked with a white cross on a green background
located in suitable and accessible places

Portable first-aid kits will be available for escort duties and for organised trips outside of the home. All care home vehicles will have a first-aid travel kit on board.

The home will equip and maintain a dedicated medical/first-aid room.

Only specified first-aid supplies will be kept. Creams, lotions or drugs should not be kept in first-aid kits.

Information and Notices

First-aid notices giving the location of first-aid containers and the names of members of staff who are certificated first aiders will be prominently displayed around the organisation.

This includes:

main entrance
staff room
communal areas
main corridors

The home will make every effort to ensure that first-aid notices are clear and easily understood by all.

Information on the first-aid provision will be included in staff handbooks, induction packs for new staff, etc.

Recording Accidents and Injuries

All accidents and injuries will be recorded in a written or electronic form according to the organisations accident reporting policies and procedures.

The record of any first-aid treatment given by first aiders and other appointed persons will include:

the date, time and place of the incident
the name of the injured or ill person
details of the injury or illness, and what first aid was given
the name and signature of the first aider or person dealing with the incident

Accident reports, including those where first-aid assistance was given, will be regularly reviewed and lessons learnt about the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisations first-aid arrangements.

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}}

WCH111. First Aid at Work in Care Homes