Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace

Foreword by the Minister for Health and Community Care NHS staff are our most important resource. The Scottish Executive values the contribution of all those who work in the service and want to ensure that their health and well-being is assured. Each year over 80% of the resources we spend on the NHS goes on staff costs. But these 130,000 individuals provide 100% of the care. That means we get a good deal from them. Better health and safety is one way of ensuring they get a good deal from us.

In this strategy "Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace" we fulfil our commitment to develop a comprehensive, accessible and inclusive Occupational Health and Safety Service.

Implementing this strategy is the responsibility of all organisations in the NHS in Scotland. It should not be an option. A quality working environment is at the heart of quality care. This Strategy is a product of Partnership and offers staff and their representatives the opportunity to influence occupational health and safety policy and practice locally. It is a Strategy for all those who are part of the NHS in Scotland 'family' - for primary care practitioners and their staff, for staff of independent contractors, caterers and cleaners, and students working within the NHS in Scotland.

I am determined that the service provided is clearly visible to staff and an example to all employers in Scotland. The service must be fully integrated with other services under our overarching human resources strategy. It should also support and promote health throughout the NHS in Scotland. Such a service should offer integrated occupational health, safety, personal safety and health promotion, offered by multi disciplinary teams. It should promote improvement in the health of staff and, in so doing, reduce accidents at work and make the workplace a safer place for staff, patients and for visitors.

"Towards a Safer Healthier Workplace" is a document for everyone in the wider NHS family. It is up to everyone to play their part and work together to improve the health and well being of staff. We will also make NHS in Scotland premises safer and healthier environments in which to work. A safer NHS. A healthier NHS. A better NHS in which to deliver the improved patient care the people of Scotland want and deserve.

Susan Deacon MSP

1 Introduction

The Occupational Health and Safety Service (OHSS) Short Life Working group was set up in July of 1998 to fulfil one of the commitments given in 'Towards a New Way of Working' - the first Human Resources Strategy for the NHS in Scotland (NHSiS). The strategy identified a need for a comprehensive occupational health and safety service for the NHSiS.

Remit

To identify strategic and practical action to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive occupational health and safety service equally accessible to all of the staff in the NHSiS.

Membership of the Group:

Membership was drawn from a wide range of interests within the NHSiS including management, trade unions, professional associations and occupational health and safety specialists.