This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Goodwill to NHS staff this Christmas, good health all year round
21/12/1999
As NHS staff prepare to care for Scots during one of the busiest periods of the year, Health Minister Susan Deacon declared today that no one working in the service should be made ill by their work.
The Minister also announced an immediate allocation of £500,000 to support health and safety in the NHS workplace, such as mobile phones and security alarms for community nurses.
Launching the Occupational Health and Safety Service Strategy for staff of the NHS in Scotland, the Minister announced measures to improve the personal safety and security of staff.
The Strategy, "Towards a Safer, Healthier Workplace", has been produced in partnership with staff and their representatives, occupational health and safety professionals and representatives from NHS employers.
It encourages the Service to directly support and promote improvement in the health of staff through integrated occupational health, personal safety and health promotion.
Ms Deacon said:
"Good health is precious to us all. We rely on the NHS to be there when we need care. But for too long, we may not have looked after NHS staff as well as they have looked after us. This Strategy, which I am pleased to launch today, will change that.
"Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace" shows the value we place on NHS staff and sends the clear message that no member of staff should be made ill by their work. This Strategy aims to audit the level of accidents and injuries in the NHS in Scotland and to improve the health of staff and reduce accidents and injuries at work by 25 per cent by 2006.
"The Government's commitment and concern for the improvement of the personal safety of NHS staff is demonstrated by a £500,000 investment distributed today to Health Boards to enable NHS employers to introduce safety and security measures.
"It is vitally important that GPs and their staff, independent contract staff, caterers, cleaners and students working within the NHS all play their part to translate the Strategy into action."
Key proposals of "Towards a Safer, Healthier Workplace" are:
- Assesment of provision of OHSS policies locally;
- Policies and procedures to minimise and prevent accidents and incidents;
- Policies which provide security of employment following disability or ill-health;
- Universal standards for occupational health across the NHS in Scotland.
BACKGROUND
1. The Human Resources Strategy "Towards a New Way of Working" was published in April 1998. It gave a commitment to develop a comprehensive and inclusive Occupational Health and Safety Service for NHS in Scotland staff.
2. A Short Life working Group was set up in Summer 1998 to develop the Occupational Health and Safety Service Strategy. The Group was chaired by Mr R Watkins, Scottish Executive Chief Dental Officer.
3. The Working Group included, trade unions, professional organisations, the Health and Safety Executive, Occupational Health Directors and health service management.
4. Health Boards will today receive a pro rata allocation of the £500,000 capital money. Trusts will be advised that they should make a case to their Health Boards for access to the funds. The letter will be issued to coincide with the publication of the NHS Occupational Health and Safety Strategy.
News Release: SE1758/1999
21 Dec 1999