§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are taken to ensure that National Health Service trusts have adequate arrangements for recording accidents on National Health Service premises; what encouragement is given to staff to report accidents; and what steps the National Health Service Executive takes to monitor the safety performance of National Health Service trusts. [42461]
§ Mr. MilburnThe Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 require certain types of accidents to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive. The National Health Service Executive has issued guidance emphasising the importance of effective accident and incident reporting systems for NHS employers, and outlining the characteristics of a good incident reporting system. Ensuring staff are encouraged to report incidents is a matter for NHS trusts. The safety performance of NHS trusts is the responsibility of NHS trust chief executives and their boards.
§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list his duties in respect of ensuring the safety of(a) staff employed in the National Health Service, and (b) patients and visitors to National Health Service premises. [42464]
§ Mr. MilburnWe place a very high priority on the safety of National Health Service staff and of patients and visitors to NHS premises. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 place duties on all employers to assess systematically all workplace risks, and to take all reasonably practicable action to minimise those risks. Chief executives and their boards are statutorily responsible for ensuring the safety of staff, patients and visitors.
509WThe NHS Security Manual gives advice to all trusts on the use of security measures and the NHS Executive continues to support this guidance by regularly publishing best practice on specific aspects of security.
§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if National Health Service trusts are required to include reports on their health and safety record in their annual reports. [42463]
§ Mr. MilburnThe National Health Service Trust Manual for Accounts recommends that trusts should include information on health and safety performance and occupational health in their annual reports. Guidance to trusts on health and safety also commends the inclusion of information on health and safety performance in their annual reports.