General Statement

London Street Surgery is committed to achieve a high standard of health, safety and welfare for its employees when at work and as far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of all visitors to the surgery.

The Senior Partner accepts that it is his legal duty, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to protect so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of its employees whilst working at London Street Surgery

It is also the legal obligation of every employee to take reasonable care to avoid accidents to themselves and others.

London Street Surgery will strive to meet the objectives of this Policy Statement by ensuring that:

• Equipment and systems of work are safe.
• Safe systems of work are in place for handling, storage and transport of medical substances.
• Appropriate information, instructions, training and supervision is provided.
• A safe place of work is provided and safe access to and from it is available.
• There is healthy working environment and adequate welfare facilities.
• Procedures are in force to deal with any likely emergency situation.
• Monitoring of the implementation and effectiveness of the Policy Statement is undertaken by an external risk assessment organisation (Bison UK).

Responsibilities

All partners will support and actively promote a proactive approach to health, safety and welfare and will ensure that any related requirements are integrated into all work activities.  Attention must be paid to these requirements at the design and planning stage of any modification of premises and new procedures.

• Dr Essa is responsible for the overall health and safety of the surgery. This responsibility includes the availability of resources and ensuring that effective systems are in place to ensure safety.  It is also his responsibility to take any action in accordance with disciplinary procedures where health, safety and welfare requirements are disregarded by employees.
• With respect to persons entering the building (contractors etc) the Manager will, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure that they carry out their work in a safe way to protect themselves, the staff and the members of the public.
• The overall responsibility for meeting legal requirements rests with the senior partner but all employees at all levels must play their part in meeting the duties outlined above. Senior staff have a primary responsibility to ensure (so far as is reasonably practicable) that safe and healthy conditions exist within their area of work and that procedure and instructions are complied with.

The Practice Manager:

• Will provide advice and guidance on all health, safety and welfare matters.
• Monitor and investigate accidents, dangerous occurrences and dangerous incidents and to advise possible corrective action.
• Bringing health, safety and welfare rules to the attention of visitors and contractors and ensuring that any work they carry out is monitored, deficiencies identified and appropriate corrective action taken.
• Control of chemicals and substances on the premises so that they are compatible with work requirements and establishing safe work methods.
• Reporting and investigation of accidents and dangerous occurrences.
• Dealing with fires and other emergencies with are likely to arise.
• Reviewing periodically the progress on health, safety and welfare and to maintain or improve as appropriate.

POLICY REVIEW

The Health and Safety Policy for the Partners will be reviewed annually.  All recommendations and suggestions will be considered and incorporated if appropriate.

A Health and Safety Policy will only be successful if it involves all employees.  Therefore, the partners actively support and encourage constructive dialogue between management and employees.

All employees have a legal responsibility under health and safety legislation, which include the following;

• Taking care not to endanger the health and safety of themselves. Other workers, visitors and members of the general public.
• Following any instructions or rules issued by the Partners concerning health, safety and welfare such as those relating to the use of personal protective equipment, other safety equipment and safe work methods.
• Not interfering with or misusing anything provided in the interests of health, safety and welfare.
• Cooperating with the partners in meeting health, safety and welfare requirements.
• Informing the appropriate Manager of any health and safety related problems or defects which may give rise to danger and reporting promptly any accidents or dangerous incidents which occur.
• When attending work, ensuring that their ability to work safely has not been reduced by their deliberate actions, such as the consumption of alcoholic drink, drugs or lack of sleep or rest.

Staff Arrangements

• A copy of this policy is displayed in an appropriate place for all staff to view.
• Health, safety and welfare related training is undertaken by all staff every 3 years.
• A HSE Health & Safety Poster is on display for staff and visitors.

Date policy reviewed: November 2021

Reviewed by: Andrew Marsh

New review date: November 2022