Lone Workers
Policy
Health sector workers working alone or in the community may be more vulnerable to abuse, threats, or physical assault, due to the stressful and personal nature of health care, and the increased risk from handling medications.
Lone working may include:
- working alone after hours
- providing off-site care
- attending an accident
- visiting a patient in their home.
We do everything we can to manage the risks to staff working alone, in accordance with the:
- Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
- Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016.
Before a staff member works alone, we identify and mitigate risks so far as is reasonably practicable. We follow incident management procedures so that incidents that take place when staff are working alone are followed up and reported as necessary.
While working alone
Staff planning to enter the premises after hours must make arrangements with the practice manager.
The last two staff members to leave at the end of the day should leave together.
If you have concerns about working alone, you may wish to discuss them with another staff member.
If you are at immediate risk, get to safety as soon as possible. In an emergency call the police on 111.
If an incident occurs:
- Alert the practice manager as soon as possible.
- If appropriate, report the incident to police.
- Follow the process for managing incidents.
See also Incidents.
Off-site/home visits
We may carry out a home visit if the patient is not able to come into our facility, e.g. due to illness or disability.
Before arranging an off-site/home visit, we consider safety factors such as any risk of violence or infection, and whether a home visit is clinically appropriate.
We assess the risks and take precautions:
- Check current and historical patient notes for any factors that might increase the risks of a home visit.
- Raise any concerns with the practice manager, who may decline the request or put a safety plan in place.
- Ensure someone from the practice knows where you are going and the expected return time.
- Carry a mobile phone at all times.
- Advise someone at the practice if you will be returning later than expected.
Consider having safety guidelines in place for home visits. Reassess the risks on arrival, and continually throughout the visit. If at all concerned, leave as quickly as possible.
Related policies