Health and Safety at the Isle of Wight Healthcare Trust has been given the seal of approval by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  The Trust was inspected in August this year and has now received the HSE’s report which states that overall they found much evidence of good practice and high levels of compliance with health and safety legislation.

The inspection focused particularly on the management of risks arising from manual handling and violence to staff and enabled the inspectors to also review health and safety arrangements across the organisation, including provision of Occupational Health support.

The report highlights the good systems in place in terms of reporting incidents, that senior managers, including the Chief Executive, were accessible and staff were clear about how to obtain Health and Safety advice.

The review of occupational health provision showed that the trust benefits from the support of a very well qualified and experienced team of occupational health specialists.

There were a few areas where improvements were needed to raise health and safety standards – these included the reinstatement of shower facilities in endoscopy and reviewing working practices in pathology which could lead to work related upper limb disorders for staff.  The Trust will be looking at how to respond to the HSE’s recommendations ahead of their follow up visit which will take place in a few months time.

Graham Elderfield, NHS Chief Executive, said “We are very pleased with this report – it acknowledges the importance that the Trust places on health and safety not just for its patients, but for its staff.”