EDGE Services Summer 2016 Newsletter

EDGE services

NEW

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Summer 2016

www.edgeservices.co.uk01904 677853

Training Courses across the UK:• People Handling• Children Handling• Inanimate Object

Handling• Understanding and

Managing Behaviour that Challenges

• Health, Safety and General Risk Assessment

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is seeking to influence Great Britain’s health and safety record with the introduction of a ‘Helping Great Britain Work Well 2016’ strategy. While they acknowledge that Great Britain’s health and safety record is already impressive, one that is the envy of much of the world, the HSE are looking to challenge everyone who has a stake or interest in improving health and safety in the workplace to improve it even further.

As a regulator the HSE will, of course, remain a key player in this strategy. What they are looking to achieve is to engage everyone who undertakes, or influences, workplace activities and attitudes and to encourage them to continue striving for improvement of health and safety in the workplace. Their target audience includes, among others, employers, employees, industry and trade bodies, supply chains, third-sector

bodies, insurance and legal bodies, workers’ representatives, professional institutions and government, as well as co-regulators.

The strategy sets out six priority themes for the above groups to focus on over the next five years. The HSE point out that these priority themes will not be to the detriment of what is already done well, but have been identified as areas in which the greatest improvements can be made. It is their intention that these strategies will encourage a renewed emphasis on improving health in the workplace, as well as building on the highly successful track record on safety.

The HSE will continue to work in partnership with stakeholders, carry out inspections, assess safety cases and reports, be a prime mover, initiate/implement regulatory reform, or where necessary taking enforcement action. Their hope is that this strategy will enable them to act more as a facilitator, supporting businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), by providing simple, accessible and relevant advice and challenging self proclaimed ‘experts’ who overprescribe and over interpret requirements to the detriment of these businesses. In doing this the HSE hope to encourage everyone in the system to take much greater ownership of health and safety and ultimately help Great Britain work well.

The six strategic and priority themes were discussed with key players – representing all sectors and organisations with an interest in health

and safety – during a nationwide engagement programme in January and February 2016. The feedback the HSE received from this engagement programme suggested a unanimous support for the overarching objective to help Great Britain work well.

The themes are as follows: Acting together: Promoting a broader ownership of health and safety in Great Britain. Tackling ill health: Highlighting and tackling the costs of work-related ill health. Managing risk well: Simplifying risk management and helping business to grow.Supporting small employers: Giving SMEs simple advice so they know what they have to do. Keeping pace with change: Anticipating and tackling new health and safety challenges. Sharing our success: Promoting the benefits of Great Britain’s world-class health and safety system.

The HSE’s aim is to continue to innovate and change, keeping ahead of both new developments in the workplace and international trends. Although Great Britain’s health and safety outcomes are already among the best in the world they do not want people to become complacent.

The six themes, all of which the HSE claim have received widespread support across different sectors during the engagement process, are the basis for agreeing a collective way forward that will help Great Britain work well. For the HSE the strategy also provides a clear direction on where resources should be targeted to greatest effect, allowing businesses to enjoy improved productivity while ensuring workers are healthier and safer.

Helping Great Britain Work Well New HSE Strategy

Edge June 2016 newsletter.indd 1 24/06/2016 10:16

Editor’s column

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2 Summer 2016 Newsletter

NHS Trust Fined £200,000 for Safety Failings Resulting in Fatality An NHS Foundation Trust has been fined for safety failings in its management of the use and inadequate maintenance of Anetic Aid QA3 trolleys - a specialist patient transport and clinical trolley used commonly in hospitals.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) followed an incident that happened in March 2011 when a patient at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, 90-year-old Major James Fyfe, suffered a broken neck and a cut to his head as a result of a fall from a QA3 trolley. He died 26 days later.

Reading Crown Court heard that although the HSE did not conclude that in this case the incident was caused by the hospital’s failings, the investigation found that there was a lack of maintenance to the QA3 trolley and a lack of training in an essential aspect of its use.Maintenance of equipment is an essential part of keeping both patients and staff safe. If the organisation had a comprehensive system for servicing and maintenance of QA3 trolleys, then it would have picked up the issues surrounding maintenance. For the effective maintenance of equipment and the use of that equipment, suitable training needs to be implemented appropriately.

HSE Inspector Sharron Cripps said: “This incident could have been prevented. It is especially important in large organisations that they have effective systems in place to control risks and to check that the systems are working.“Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust of Craven Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and was fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £76,305.62

St Anne’s Community Services has been fined £190,000 by Bradford Magistrates’ Court for failing in its duty to provide safe care and treatment.

At the time of writing, the UK’s EU referendum is only a couple of days away and, by the time you receive this newsletter, the result will be known. Chances are, however, that the dust will be far from settling. As we cover in this issue’s article, the possible consequences of Brexit to the UK’s care industry are wide-ranging. You can be sure that, whatever the outcome, we will continue to monitor the ups and downs on your behalf.There are a couple of important items in this edition concerning fines imposed on both private and public organisations following bed-rail failures. What is particularly striking is the similarity between the two cases which are not limited to their geography.

In fact, as we may sometimes forget, the UK has a terrific record in the field of health and safety, something which is happily underpinned by European legislation. The new HSE strategy detailed in our cover story makes the point that rather than addressing failures it is seeking to build on success and that’s something we can all support no matter the UK’s future.

Best wishes,

Kate Lovett.Director/Senior Trainer



Summer 2016 Newsletter 3

A large UK-based care home group has been fined over the inappropriate management of bedrails at one of its care homes.

Following an earlier guilty plea in Carlisle Magistrates’ Court the District Judge referred the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told the court that the care home in Penrith, Cumbria, failed to ensure it managed the risk of bedrails through appropriate assessment and review of bedrail arrangements, and failed to train staff in the assessment of and safe use of bedrails.

The use of bedrails is common in care homes to help prevent vulnerable residents from falling from bed, but they should to be used appropriately, and staff must be trained in both their use and the process of assessment to identify suitable measures to protect individual patients from falls.

The court was told the company had a policy on bedrail management but it was not fully implemented as staff were not trained and assessments not conducted or reviewed when required.

The case related to the management of bedrails in relation to a vulnerable resident who died at the home. The company failed to ensure the patient’s bedrail assessment was suitable and sufficient, reviewed following falls and deterioration in health and that staff were trained in effective risk assessment pertaining to bedrails.

The reviews of the bedrail assessment should have identified further measures to prevent the risk of falls, but staff that carried out the initial assessment and reviews were not adequately trained. Furthermore, measures identified to protect the resident were not implemented correctly and increased checks on the resident were not carried out as instructed by a medical professional.At the hearing the group admitted breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;

Regulation 9 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and was fined £400,000 with £15,206 costs.

After the hearing, HSE Inspector Carol Forster said: “The need for adequate risk assessment and management of third party bedrails has been recognised in the healthcare sector for a number of years and guidance and advice has been published by the relevant bodies to this effect.

“Bedrails are used to protect vulnerable people from falling out of bed but each patient should be assessed individually and appropriate measures taken to protect them from falls from bed. Staff working with bedrails must be appropriately trained in the use of bedrails and in the patient assessment process.

“In this case there was a lack of appropriate assessment of the resident’s changing needs and review of the control measures in place to protect her. The measures that were in place were not used correctly in that the sensor pad which would have alerted staff to the resident’s being out of bed was not switched on.

“The company failed to comply with the expected standards in bedrail management and training and I hope this case will send a strong message to others with responsibilities for bedrail management.”

Care Home Group Fined £400,000 over Bed Rail Failures

The Care Quality Commission brought the prosecution following the death of Mr Kevin McNally at a nursing home in West Yorkshire.The registered provider of the home, who is based in Leeds, pleaded guilty to an offence of failing to provide safe care and treatment resulting in avoidable harm to a service user.

Mr McNally broke his neck in a fall from a shower chair

while he was loosely strapped in - the risk of people sustaining injuries because safety or posture belts were not used or adjusted properly was well known.

Debbie Westhead, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said: “St Anne’s Community Services failed in its duty to ensure that care and treatment was provided in a safe way, and as a result Kevin McNally died. It is a tragedy which need not have happened.”



EDGE services

The Care Quality Commission Announce Care Home ImprovementsThe Care Quality Commission (CQC) have announced that, over the two last years, improvements have been made in the care of more than 12,000 people living in care homes in England.

All homes providing care for elderly or disabled people are rated from ‘outstanding’ to ‘inadequate’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). There are currently more than 11,000 care homes operating in England.

A tougher inspection system for care homes was introduced by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2014. Further to their initial inspections under this new tougher system, most homes were found to be ‘good’.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) analysed what happened to the homes that got the lowest rating between 1 October 2014 and 31 March this year and found that almost 75% of the 372 care homes rated ‘inadequate’ (but who were still operating) in 2014 had improved.

Of these, 205 have moved from an ‘inadequate’ rating to ‘requiring improvement’, 68 are now rated ‘good’ and 99 have not had their rating changed. Thirty four others rated ‘inadequate’ in 2014 have since closed either because of enforcement action by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) or because they chose to do so.

Some of the positive changes made by homes, said by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to have demonstrated a commitment to improvement, were investment in the training of staff, and cleaning to make sure rooms and communal areas were “homely and welcoming” at all times.

The Care Quality Commission’s chief inspector of adult social care Andrea Sutcliffe said: “While services that have moved to ‘requires improvement’ are heading in the right direction, I am clear that this is still not good enough and providers cannot afford to be complacent.

“Evidence of consistent practice and sustainability is what we are looking for, to ensure people always get the good care they deserve.”

The chief executive of Care England, Martin Green, said the report “clearly shows that despite the care sector facing significant challenges, there is clear evidence that improvements in the quality of care are being sustained”.

By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will already know the decision of the most important vote undertaken by the population of the UK in a generation: the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. What we will almost certainly not yet know are the full implications of that decision, particularly if, as current polls suggest, the Leave – Brexit - campaign has triumphed.

Many in the care sector are concerned that if the UK departs the EU, the recruitment crisis already affecting the care sector will only deepen. Around 10 million people in the UK with disabilities receive at least some degree of care; around 500,000 older and/or disabled people reside in care homes and just as many receive care at home. Around 20% of care workers are non-UK citizens, and in some cities this figure rises close to 50%. It is estimated that the UK will require an additional one million care workers by 2037.

Immigration from the EU is, perhaps, the most controversial element of the debate. The Leave campaign have claimed that Brexit – Britain’s departure from the EU – will enable the UK to recruit care workers from outside the EU. Furthermore, it says, money will be saved as these immigrants will no longer be able to access NHS and other resources.

In fact, as you are doubtless aware, the care sector is reliant on a significant number of immigrants. Statistics show that in England alone nearly 20% of workers were not born in the UK. However many of these workers already come from beyond the EU: around 191,000 of the total care workforce and of the top five countries contributing most to the UK care workforce only two are members of the EU.

The Vote Leave campaign claimed that leaving the EU will help address concerns about recruitment: “If we vote to leave the EU on 23 June we take back control over immigration policy and can end the discrimination against people coming to live and work here from outside the European Economic Area. That will mean we can bring a permanent end to the problem care providers have had hiring nursing and other staff from outside the EU.”

The Vote Leave campaign made much use of the

Leave or Remain: Care Consequences for Life after The Referendum




£350m figure to support claims that there would be money to spend although this figure was disputed by many, including the UK Statistics Authority, which stated: “(We are) disappointed to note that there continue to be suggestions that the UK contributes £350m to the EU each week, and that this full amount could be spent elsewhere… the UK’s contribution to the EU is paid after the application of the rebate.”

Britain Stronger In Europe added that “if we left Europe, public spending would take a hit to the tune of £36bn – equivalent to a third of the NHS budget. That would mean deep cuts to public services, including the NHS… For those working in care, being in the EU means better protection for workplace rights, including shared maternity and paid holiday entitlement. Leaving Europe would be a leap in the dark that would put the care sector and the jobs it supports at risk.”

With regards to legislation, the implementation of the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, 1992 has ensured minimum health & safety standards, with regards to manual handling, for employees and employers across the European Union. Another piece of legislation, contentious to some, which has a particular bearing

Leave or Remain: Care Consequences for Life after The Referendum

on the care industry is the Working Time Directive. This Directive has set limits on working hours and, thereby, reduced stress, depression and other illnesses associated with prolonged working times. Among other things, the WTD limits weekly working hours which should not exceed 48 hours on average including any overtime; requires a rest break during working hours if the worker is on duty for longer than 6 hours and paid annual leave of at least 4 weeks per year.

The MHOR, ’92 and the WTD, however, fall into a category of legislation that is often disparaged by Euro-sceptics primarily because it was (a) initiated by the European Union and (b) concerns health and safety. Ms Priti Patel, a Conservative MP and one of the leading ‘Out’ campaigners, claimed that ‘If we could just halve

the burdens of the EU social and employment legislation we could deliver a £4.3 billion boost to our economy and 60 000 new jobs.’

Of course, if we have awoken on the morning of the 24th June to find that the status quo has been maintained much of the above is moot. However, even then, we should not assume that a vote to Remain is a vote for no-change at all. Whether the UK has voted to leave or remain, the EU legislative process will continue to be at the heart of an ongoing tug-of-war between opposing forces: those who would introduce more and more detailed social, employment and health & safety legislation and those who seek to bust open any restrictions on the free market.


People Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate

In-House Training Courses

£750+VAT per delegate - all locations apart from London

£880+VAT per delegate - London

Forthcoming public events in London, York, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Brighton, Warwickshire and Exeter.

We can tailor-make this course to suit your organisation’s specific requirements.

£3,900 +VAT for up to ten delegates.

Go to our website or telephone EDGE Services for further details.

Course Accreditations:

Course Materials Comprise of:• A 200 page professionally bound,

full colour course text book.• A delegate CD ROM containing all

notes, handouts, delegate quizzes etc that you would need to deliver your own training courses.

• A 27 page full colour ‘Ideas’ book with training tips.

All the above and more are included in the course price.

Our flagship course has established EDGE as one of the leading providers of training to the healthcare and social care sectors.

Course OverviewThis course will provide delegates with the knowledge, skills and confidence to train others in the moving and handling of people and in the conducting of manual handling risk assessments.

Who Will Benefit?This course is for delegates with a responsibility for health & safety and welfare of carers and clients with regards to the moving and handling of people.

Assessment and CertificationCourse assessment comprises:• a one hour ’open-book’ test to

determine delegates’ theoretical understanding of the course content;

• delivery of a group mini-training session in order to assess teaching skills, organisation, and delivery of appropriate course content;

• a practical skills assessment, which takes place continuously throughout the course.


Forthcoming Public Training Dates Include:

Course Aims and Intended Learning OutcomesBy the end of the course delegates shall:• demonstrate a sound knowledge of

legislation and professional guidance which affects them, their job, their employers and employees;

• briefly understand the workings of the spine and how to reduce the risks of spinal injury;

• demonstrate an appreciation of the principles of biomechanics;

• demonstrate an appreciation of ergonomics;

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of risk assessment;

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of ‘controversial techniques’;

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of up-to-date practical skills in moving handling clients in a care setting;

• demonstrate the skills and confidence to convey manual handling knowledge and skills to others.

Upon successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a certificate of achievement from EDGE Services, which is valid for two years.

12 - 15 July 2016, York 19 - 22 July 2016, Birmingham26 - 29 July 2016, Glasgow30 August - 2 September 2016, London6 - 9 September 2016, Exeter6 - 9 September 2016, Manchester20 - 23 September 2016, Peterborough4 - 7 October 2016, Warwick11 - 14 October 2016, Cardiff

18 - 21 October 2016, London25 - 28 October 2016, Edinburgh1 - 4 November 2016, York8 - 11 November 2016, Glasgow15 - 18 November 2016, Birmingham6 - 9 December 2016, London

Public Training Courses

EDGE services



People Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate

People Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate (Refresher/Update)



£470+VAT per delegate - all locations apart from London

£520+VAT per delegate - London

Forthcoming public events in London, York, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Brighton, Warwickshire and Exeter.





Course Materials Comprise of:• A 210 page professionally bound,

full colour course text book.• A delegate CD ROM containing all

notes, handouts, delegate quizzes etc that you would need to deliver your own training courses. There is also over one hour of filmed practical skills.

All the above and more are included in the course price.

Our flagship course has established EDGE as one of the leading providers of training to the healthcare and social care sectors.

Course OverviewIn order that trainers keep abreast of new legislation and developments in manual handling, EDGE Services recommend a ‘Refresher’ course at least every two years. This course will further advance delegates’ professional development and manual handling skills, and provide the opportunity to trade experience with others.

Who Will Benefit?This course is designed for those who have previously attended the EDGE Services ‘People Handling & Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate’ or simliar course. Delegates not previously trained by EDGE Services will be required to provide proof of their original qualification.

Assessment and CertificationCourse assessment comprises:• a practical skills assessment, which

takes place continuously throughout the course;

• informal Q&A throughout the duration of the course.


7 & 8 July 2016, Glasgow12 & 13 July 2016, London21 & 22 July 2016, Manchester26 & 27 July 2016, Birmingham2 & 3 August 2016, Brighton4 & 5 August 2016, Glasgow4 & 5 August 2016, London8 & 9 September 2016, Glasgow6 & 7 September 2016, Manchester15 & 16 September 2016, York27 & 28 September 2016, London29 & 30 September 2016, Peterborough4 & 5 October 2016, Glasgow11 & 12 October 2016, Exeter

13 & 14 October 2016, Warwick18 & 19 October 2016, Cardiff25 & 26 October 2016, London1 & 2 November 2016, Glasgow3 & 4 November 2016, Manchester8 & 9 November 2016, Edinburgh10 & 11 November 2016, York22 & 23 November 2016, Birmingham29 & 30 November 2016, London8 & 9 December 2016, Glasgow15 & 16 December 2016, London19 & 20 December 2016, Manchester19 & 20 December 2016, Brighton

Forthcoming Public Training Dates Include:

Course Aims and Intended Learning OutcomesBy the end of the course delegates shall:• have been reminded of, and made

aware of any relevant changes to, legislation and professional guidance which affects them, their job, their employers and employees;

• have been reminded of the principles of biomechanics and how they can be applied to the efficient movement of clients;

• have been reminded of ergonomics as a means for the reduction of manual handling injury;

• have been reminded of the importance of risk assessment;

• have been reminded of the commonly known ‘controversial techniques’ and why some manouevres have been classified as such;

• have had the opportunity to practise up-to-date manual handling techniques and to review new handling aids;

• have had the opportunity to assess practical moves using current assessment tools.

Upon successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a certificate of achievement from EDGE Services, which is valid for two years.



Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges (Refresher/Update)

Children Handling and Risk Assessment (Refresher/Update)

KEY TRAINER’S CERTIFICATE

This one day Refresher/Update course will further advance your professional development, de-escalation and breakaway skills and provide you with a valuable opportunity to trade experiences with others.

For more details please visit our website www.edgeservices.co.uk/courses


This two day Refresher/Update course will further advance your professional development and manual handling skills, and provide you with a valuable opportunity to trade experience with others.




£470+VAT per delegate

11 -12 October 2016, Birmingham 1 - 2 December 2016, Birmingham


£1,950+VAT for up to ten delegates.




Understanding and Managing Behaviour that Challenges

Children Handling and Risk Assessment


This four day course will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to train others in de-escalation and breakaway techniques, which can be adopted to deal with individuals exhibiting challenging behaviour.



This four day course will provide you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to train others in the moving and handling of children/young adults and how to conduct manual handling risk assessments.





4 - 7 October 2016, Birmingham








21 November 2016, Glasgow



£975 +VAT for up to ten delegates.





5 - 8 July 2016, Warwick22 - 25 November 2016, Glasgow




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The Care Quality Commission (CQC) published their five year ‘Shaping the Future’ strategy on 24 May 2016. This strategy, taking place from 2016 to 2021, sets out an ambitious vision for a more targeted, responsive and collaborative approach to regulation to ensure that more people receive the very highest quality of care and support.

The strategy was developed following a year-long consultation period during which time thousands of providers, staff and partners shared their views about the future of regulation. The CQC used this intelligence in compiling their strategy so that they can better focus inspections on where people may be at risk of poor care.

The Commission feel that their ‘Shaping the Future’ strategy demonstrates a reactive approach to dealing with services that are changing how they organise and deliver care to meet increasing needs. It is their hope that the new strategy will help encourage services to continue to innovate and collaborate to drive improvement, and to ensure that people receive good, safe care and support.

CQC Chief Executive, David Behan, said: “We’re developing our approach to reflect changes in the sectors we regulate – effective regulation doesn’t occur in a vacuum. But our role remains the same: consistently assessing quality of care using the information we and others gather; using what we know to help drive change and improvement; and acting swiftly to ensure people are protected from poor care.”

CQC Chair, Peter Wyman, said: “Over the next five years the health and social care sector will need to adapt, and we do not underestimate the challenges that services face. Demand for care has increased as more people live for longer with complex care needs, and there is strong pressure on services to control costs. Success will mean delivering the right quality outcomes within the resources available.”

‘Shaping the Future Strategy’ – what it means.

Over the next five years the CQC will focus on four priorities.

How will the Commission know when they have succeeded?

The CQC will know that they have achieved their aims when:

lPeople trust and use their expert, independent judgements about the quality of care.lPeople have confidence that they will identify good and poor care and that they will take action where necessary so their rights are protected.lOrganisations that deliver care improve quality as a result of their regulation.lOrganisations are encouraged to use resources as efficiently as possible to deliver high-quality care.

For further information visit www.cqc.org.uk

The Care Quality Commission announce a new Five Year Strategy

1. Encouraging improvement, innovation and sustainability in careThe CQC pledge to work with others to support improvement, adapt their approach as new care models develop, and publish new ratings of NHS trusts’ and foundation trusts’ use of resources.

2. Deliver an intelligence-driven approach to regulationThe CQC will use information from the public and providers more effectively to target resources where the risk to the quality of care is greatest and to check where quality is improving. They also plan to introduce a more proportionate approach to registration.

3. Promote a single shared view of qualityThe CQC will work with others to agree a consistent approach to defining and measuring quality, collecting information from providers, and delivering a single vision of high-quality care.

4. Improving efficiency and effectivenessThe CQC will work more efficiently with a view to achieving savings each year. They also plan on improving how they work with the public and providers.



EDGE services

Volunteers Week 1st-12th June 2016Volunteers week is a national event that is held annually and aims to highlight the work undertaken each day by the twenty-three million people across the UK who volunteer. It is supported and celebrated by small grassroots organisations as well as larger, household-name charities, who together run hundreds of events across the UK.

Established in 1984 and run by NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations) in partnership with Volunteer Development Scotland, Volunteer Now and Wales Council for Voluntary Action, this year the event was held from 1st-12th June, slightly extended in order to mark celebrations associated with the Queen’s 90th birthday and to encompass a Patron’s lunch on 12th June.

Throughout the twelve days, events took place showcasing the different volunteer roles undertaken in the UK, these included volunteer recruitment events, taster sessions, awards ceremonies, team challenges as well as the launch of new volunteering campaigns.

The week also coincided with the annual announcement of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service on June 2nd. One of the recipients this year was C.A.F.E. (Creative Activities for Elderly People), a group from Northamptonshire whose volunteers aim to promote an active life for those living in care homes, sheltered housing and day centres. They believe the benefits of delivering creative activities to residents, like painting, craft, flower arranging and music sessions are immense, both mentally and physically and also go some way to tackle the growing problem of loneliness amongst the elderly. Founded in 2003 by Ruth Harris, who was inspired when she saw the limited activities available to her mother who was in a care home at the time, the group now works across the counties of Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

The care industry benefits enormously from volunteers with an estimated 20,000 hours weekly contributed to the industry by them.

Should you wish to get involved contact www.ncvo.org.uk

Foundation Trust Fined over Bedrail FailuresA North West NHS Foundation Trust has been fined over its inappropriate management of the use of bedrails at its hospitals.

Following a guilty plea in Carlisle Magistrates’ Court the District Judge referred the case to Carlisle Crown Court for sentencing.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told the court that University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust failed to ensure that they managed the risk of bedrails, which is a fundamental element of patient safety for which extensive and comprehensive guidance on risk, management and policies existed.

An initial HSE visit to the Trust in February 2012 identified issues with bedrail management, and a second visit in May 2012 resulted in the service of an Improvement Notice (IN) on bedrail management and a letter with recommendations.

The Trust identified actions to improve bedrail management, but failed to implement them. When the Trust was inspected in July 2013, inappropriate bedrails were found to still be in use and management systems were not appropriate to manage the risk. A further IN on identification and maintenance of third party bedrails was served.

The Court was told that the Trust had a policy on bedrail management but did not have the systems or procedures to underpin the implementation of the policy.

Elements of the failure were the lack of a system to identify and inspect third party bedrails; the lack of planned preventative maintenance on manual beds and bedrails; a lack of an effective system to rectify faults with inappropriate bedrails; lack of provision of appropriate training, and a lack of procedures to audit and monitor the effectiveness of the bedrail management system.

Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, that has its headquarters at Westmorland General Hospital, Burton Road, Kendal, Cumbria, admitted breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.and was fined £100,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £18,465. After the hearing, HSE Inspector Carol Forster said: “The need for adequate risk assessment and management of third party bedrails has been recognised in the healthcare sector for a number of years and guidance and advice has been published by the relevant bodies to this effect.”




Need to knowFalls Prevention in the ElderlyThis is part one of a three part series on Falls in the Elderly. In this issue we are looking at Falls Prevention with Managing the Falling Client and Managing the Fallen Client following in future editions of this newsletter

IntroductionA fall is defined as an event which results in a person coming to rest inadvertently on the ground or floor or other lower level. It typically happens rapidly and without control.

Falls and fractures in people over 65 years and over account for over 4 million hospital bed stays each year in England alone. According to Help the Aged research in 2008, after a fall, an older person (65 years+) has a 50 per cent probability of having their mobility seriously impaired and a 10 per cent probability of dying within a year.

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury worldwide with 37.3 million falls occurring worldwide that are severe enough to require medical attention (WHO 2012).

Certainly falls destroy confidence, increase isolation and reduce independence, with around 1 in 10 older people who fall becoming afraid to leave their homes in case they were to fall again. (Help the Aged, 2008. Spotlight report).

Reasons for Falls in the ElderlyAge is certainly one of the key risk factors and there are many reasons why people fall in later life. These could be intrinsic factors such as a result of dizziness which might be due to medications or medical conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, general poor health or high levels of fatigue, natural deterioration

of eyesight or deterioration of muscle strength which may be as a result of physical inactivity. There could be extrinsic factors such as uneven or slippery floor surface, inadequate lighting, poorly fitting or inappropriate footwear etc. In most cases, it is not one but a combination of these risk factors that leads to a fall.

Another significant factor to consider is a previous history of falls. It is estimated that 41% of over 85 year olds who have fallen will fall again within one year (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence guidelines on The Assessment and Prevention of Falls in Older People 2013).

How can we reduce the Risk of Falling?An effective falls prevention scheme should aim to reduce the number of people who fall and the severity of injury to those who fall. Ideally it should be comprehensive and multifaceted in its approach.

For older people falls prevention programmes can include a number of components to identify and modify the risk, these could include:

lAssessing and where appropriate modifying the home environment to better manage risks such as poor lighting, inappropriate floor surfaces etc.

lClinical interventions such as a medications review, treating low blood pressure, vitamin D and calcium supplementation to increase bone density, treatment or management of visual impairment.

lPrescription of appropriate assistive devices for mobility such as walking frames/sticks

etc, as well as ensuring footwear design and fit is appropriate.

lThe use of hip protectors to those at particular risk of neck of femur fractures.

lMuscle strengthening and balance retraining exercises prescribed and monitored by a trained professional.

The 2013 NICE guidelines is clear that strength and balance training is a key component of successful multifactorial intervention programmes. This detailed guide aims to set out the evidence base for what works in strength and balance training and to highlight some of the programmes around the UK which have incorporated this evidence into their falls prevention services.

ConclusionWith falls in the elderly costing an estimated £4.6 million a day adding up to £1.7 billion per year according to Age UK, the need has never been greater to reduce the risks of falls in our elderly population. If information and resources can focus effectively on activities to achieve this we could reduce the cost for acute hospital care and long term social care significantly. Falling should no longer be seen as an inevitable part of the aging process.


Tel: 01904 677853 Email: [email protected] Web: www.edgeservices.co.uk

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EDGE services

PTS - Postcard paul.indd 1 30/11/07 16:41:08

When you undertake an EDGE Services’ course you learn a great deal in a short period of time. We understand however that, very often, the real learning begins when you return to work and start delivering your training.

Out invaluable Post-Training Support Service gives you the reassurance of knowing that, when the unexpected happens, one of our Senior Trainer’s will talk you through the situation or problem and offer clear guidance and advice.

Valid for the duration of your training certifi cate EDGE teach you the subject then we support you in practice. Call us today on 01904 677853 – we are waiting for your call!

EDGE services

Become part of the EDGE communitywww.twitter.com/edgehandling

www.facebook.com/edgeservices

If you are not already aware, EDGE is using both of these popular social media outlets to extend the reach of our invaluable Post-Training Support Service.

Our pages are updated each week with care industry news, useful updates and dates for your diary and both provide an opportunity for you to have your say. We also use the pages to answer or highlight questions that the EDGE training team frequently get asked about moving and handling and understanding behaviour that challenges so please like or follow us.

To learn more about EDGE Services why not visit our website, where you can book a place on one of our public courses or keep updated with industry news.

In addition to help you get the most of our website we have listed a few of the other features below:

• See details about some of the clients that we are proud to work with and read what they have to say about training with EDGE on our testimonials page.

• Browse the range of professional and invaluable products provided to delegates who have completed EDGE people handling, children handling and understanding challenging behaviour training courses.

www.edgeservices.co.uk


Documents

EDGE Services Summer 2016 Newsletter