New agreement will simplify health and safety enforcement in care homes

HSE Press Release E215:02 - 13 November 2002

The HSE, Local Government Association on behalf of English Local Authorities, and the National Care Standards Commission have issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out how they will work together to regulate and enforce health and safety in Britain's care homes and independent healthcare establishments.

The MoU has been developed to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the three organisations on health and safety issues in health and social care within England. The need for this arose following the establishment of the new Care Standards Commission in April 2002, as they too have regulatory responsibilities, alongside HSE and Local Authorities, in respect of care homes and independent healthcare establishments.

The roles, functions and regulatory responsibilities of the organisations involved are explained in the MoU. It will underpin a lot of good work already undertaken by the various organisations to liaise closely and reach agreements on most appropriate action on some health and safety issues. It will also help those, who either provide these services, or those who use the services, understand how the three organisations will interact with each other.

Timothy Walker, Director General of the Health and Safety Executive said,

"I very much welcome the Memorandum of Understanding which sets out the roles and functions of the three organisations as well as their enforcement responsibilities. The MoU provides a clear demarcation of the various roles. This will allow those with responsibility for running these homes and establishments to focus on what they need to do to ensure high standards of health and safety."

Sir Brian Briscoe, Chief Executive of the Local Government Association (LGA) said

"The LGA welcomes this agreement, which clarifies the roles of our respective officials and I hope will lead to a more effective inspection and enforcement regime."

Ron Kerr, Chief Executive of the National Care Standards Commission, said

"The Commission welcomes the MoU which will help ensure that our service users - vulnerable adults and children using health and social care services - are protected. It is a positive example of public bodies working together for the common good."

Copies of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Health and Safety Executive, the Local Government Association and the National Care Standards Commission http://www.hse.gov.uk/action/content/f-mou_aa.pdf (Document removed 21/06/2007)

NOTE TO EDITORS

The NCSC was established as an independent, non-departmental public body, under the Care Standards Act 2000, to register and inspect a wide range of social care and private and voluntary health care services. The rights and welfare of service users are at the heart of our work. It registers and inspects a range of approximately 40,000 establishments that fall under the following directorates - Adult Services (e.g. care homes for older people); Children's Rights (e.g. children's homes, boarding schools); Private and Voluntary Health Care (e.g. independent medical agencies, exclusively private doctors).

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http://www.carestandards.org.uk

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