CLEAR PLAN FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

HSE press release: E180:03 2 October 2003

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and NHS Estates, an Executive Agency of the Department of Health, have signed a 'Concordat' that sets out plans to work together to improve the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff in England.

The Concordat will facilitate planned co-ordination between the two organisations on health and safety issues. This both strengthens and supports the aims of the NHS Plan by the Department of Health and 'Revitalising Health & Safety', the Health & Safety Commission's Strategy Statement.

The Concordat sets out specific areas of work, targeting those topic areas that cause the most accidents or cases of ill health within healthcare - including: maintenance & construction safety; slips, trips and falls; manual handling; & violence. In particular the Concordat will contribute to the 'reducing burdens on the NHS' agenda outlined in the recent Cabinet Office Report 'Making a Difference - Reducing the Burden in Healthcare Inspection and Monitoring."

The Concordat will ensure that the two organisations work together to harmonise advice and guidance where practicable on estate issues, and produce guidance & benchmarks that address the HSE key priority targets affecting the health services.

HSE Director General, Timothy Walker, said: "I welcome the opportunity to continue and develop the positive working relationship with NHS Estates that this Concordat represents.

"The Concordat will ensure that those with responsibilities to manage estate-related risks within public healthcare in England are given sources of practical and effective guidance needed to help them deliver their part in the reduction of accidents within healthcare."

Peter Wearmouth, Chief Executive of NHS Estates said: "This Concordat is a step forward in raising the health and safety profile within the estates sector of the NHS in England. It will serve to enhance the existing working partnership between our two organisations and be a platform for providing comprehensive, practical advice across the NHS."

Copies of the Concordat between the Health and Safety Executive and NHS Estates can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/healthservices.

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