responsible for health and safety and the workforce must also play their role in health and safety issues. GP’s as employers must decide by carrying out a risk assessment what could harm employees whilst working and take precautions to prevent harm. (Example – needle-stick injuries, faulty equipment, electrical faults, exposure to hazardous substances) should explain how ‘risks’ will be managed and who will be responsible. should consult and work with health and safety representatives – if appointed should provide ‘free’ health and safety training – if necessary should provide ‘free’ equipment and protective clothing (e.g. disposable gloves) should provide toilets, washing facilities and drinking water should provide adequate first-aid facilities should report major injuries and fatalities at work under the RIDDOR Regulations. should have Employers Liability Insurance and display the annual certificate. should work with visiting employees or contractors to ensure health and safety is protected. For more information, take a look at the Health and Safety Executives web site GP Practices can employ Health Care Assistants, who are not qualified nurses, to undertake simple duties such as phlebotomy and dressings. Duties might also include new patient registration checks and health checks for patients aged 40 plus. A HCA will work under the supervision of a qualified health professional such as a practice nurse or nurse practitioner. Training is available at . Examples of job descriptions can be found on the Practice Index web site in the Resources section – 40 GP Practices should offer health checks to aged 40 to 74. The aim of the checks is to check the vascular or circulatory health of patients and work out whether they are at risk of developing disabling – but preventable – illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. () B The Hepatitis B status of all doctors and relevant practice-employed staff is recorded and immunisation recommended if required in accordance with national guidance. CQC inspectors might ask for evidence of HB status of clinical staff. For the latest advice to GP Practices check the BMA web site () HOME GPs are under an obligation as part of the current GP Contract formerly known as the
responsible for health and safety and the workforce must also play their role in health and safety issues. GP’s as employers must decide by carrying out a risk assessment what could harm employees whilst working and take precautions to prevent harm. (Example – needle-stick injuries, faulty equipment, electrical faults, exposure to hazardous substances) should explain how ‘risks’ will be managed and who will be responsible. should consult and work with health and safety representatives – if appointed should provide ‘free’ health and safety training – if necessary should provide ‘free’ equipment and protective clothing (e.g. disposable gloves) should provide toilets, washing facilities and drinking water should provide adequate first-aid facilities should report major injuries and fatalities at work under the RIDDOR Regulations. should have Employers Liability Insurance and display the annual certificate. should work with visiting employees or contractors to ensure health and safety is protected. For more information, take a look at the Health and Safety Executives web site GP Practices can employ Health Care Assistants, who are not qualified nurses, to undertake simple duties such as phlebotomy and dressings. Duties might also include new patient registration checks and health checks for patients aged 40 plus. A HCA will work under the supervision of a qualified health professional such as a practice nurse or nurse practitioner. Training is available at . Examples of job descriptions can be found on the Practice Index web site in the Resources section – 40 GP Practices should offer health checks to aged 40 to 74. The aim of the checks is to check the vascular or circulatory health of patients and work out whether they are at risk of developing disabling – but preventable – illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and some forms of dementia. () B The Hepatitis B status of all doctors and relevant practice-employed staff is recorded and immunisation recommended if required in accordance with national guidance. CQC inspectors might ask for evidence of HB status of clinical staff. For the latest advice to GP Practices check the BMA web site () GPs are under an obligation as part of the current GP Contract formerly known as the HOME