Following an Serious Untoward Incident the trust have in our opinion completely over reacted and created a whole new set of problems, compromising the safety across the service as well as compromising clinical staff professional codes of conduct.
The reports of waste food being placed in large metal bins, increasing fly infestations, the removal of bags from non clinical areas and the irregular approach to managing clinical waste is of serious concern.  The Trust is required to comply with Health & Safety Law , best practise for managing Infection Control and act reasonably, we do not believe they are meeting any of these requirements. Individual staff should report via incident forms all issues that compromise standards. Registrered nurses should be mindful of their code of conduct and formally report all concerns to line managers and to UNISON. We have asked for an urgent review of the ban before any serious outbreaks of illness of physical injury to staff occurs.

UNISON advice to all its members is to ensure they take up basic and annual update training at every opportunity.
It is in staffs interest to undertake this training which instils skills and confidence to the benefit of staff and service users. There appears to be a significant number of staff who are not maintaining annual updates. This compromises you as an individual in the event of a violent incident and if you are injured and had not taken up training offered by the Trust this could reduce any liability the Trust has.
If you are unable to get on a MAPPA course, discuss it with your line manager and if its not resolved please report it to one of the UNISON stewards and we will act on your behalf.

Due to the significant increase in serious Untoward Incidents across the Trust, it is of concern that there appears to be a attempt to focus on individual failures rather that address the systemic failings within the organisation. Members have complained that they have been harranged and harrassed by panel members. This is not acceptable.
All members who are invited to be interviewed by SUI panels are advised to take a UNISON representative or a colleague along.

Further guidance available on UNISON legal adivisors Thompsons website

EU Directive to help protect health care workers from needle stick injuries and infections. EU Directive to help protect health care workers from needle stick injuries and infections. This new Directive implements in law a framework agreement on prevention from sharps injuries in the hospital and healthcare sector

A significant number of staff are stating that they are not able to undertake the mandatory MAPPA training for various reasons. If you work in an area that MAPPA skills are required it is important that the training is undertaken, even if you attend and are only able to partially particpate in the course, you will have an understanding of what techniques are recommended by the Trust. The instructors will assess your abilty to complete the course and consequently make recommendations to your line manager.
Not undertaking this course could potentially put you at risk of redeployment to other duties and/or posts.

24.5.10
In November of 2009 a very serious life threatening assault was made on a member of staff in East Wing. UNISON demanded an independent inquiry, the Trust did and internal enquiry and agreed to an external enquiry.
We were not allowed to address the independent panel directly, they did recieve all the correspondance highlighting the risks that had been sent by UNISON in the months leading up to the incident.
UNISON has repeatedly asked to see these final reports.
Again, the Trust are not forthcoming with this information and any immediate recommendations have not been shared. We know the Trust conceded that our acute wards require 3 nurses on nights, it installed a pin point alarm system, it is unfortunate that it took such a serious incident to prompt the Trust to take action.
We will continue to pursue this matter and continue to press the Trust to release the independent review report.

Update June 2010.

Following representation by Thompsons (UNISON Solicitors) the Trust have accepted full liability for the incident and injuries caused to the staff member.

Health and Safety at work
Given the ongoing cuts in City and Hackney Unison have been receiving scores of complaints due to the reduction of numbers to 2.5 per ward on a night shift and 3.5 on weekends. At night time (when we already have below minimum resources) the rapid response team is 3 members short as a result 
The Union has always opposed such dangerous measures.
When a staff takes a break it leaves the ward with only 1.5 people to “manage”  which at least 20 patients (many times more than that as patients now sleep in flexi beds and improvised bedrooms)
 This is a good time to remind ourselves about our H&S rights and employer’s responsibilities
Your rights and responsibilities All workers are entitled to work in environments where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Under health and safety law, the primary responsibility for this is down to employers.
As a worker, you have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions
If you have specific queries on health and safety in your workplace, approach your safety representative or trade union representative. Below is a summary of employer’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety Act 1974
All employers, whatever the size of the business, must:

·           make the workplace safe
·           prevent risks to health
·           ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use, and that safe working practices are set up and followed

·           make sure that all materials are handled, stored and used safely
·           provide adequate first aid facilities
·           tell you about any potential hazards from the work you do, chemicals and other substances used by the firm, and give you information, instructions, training and supervision as needed
·           set up emergency plans
·           make sure that ventilation, temperature, lighting, and toilet, washing and rest facilities all meet health, safety and welfare requirements
·           check that the right work equipment is provided and is properly used and regularly maintained
·           prevent or control exposure to substances that may damage your health
·           take precautions against the risks caused by flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
·           avoid potentially dangerous work involving manual handling and if it can't be avoided, take precautions to reduce the risk of injury
·           provide health supervision as needed
·           provide protective clothing or equipment free of charge if risks can't be removed or adequately controlled by any other means
·           ensure that the right warning signs are provided and looked after
·           report certain accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority, depending on the type of business 

Yonatan Mosquera Restrepo
UNISON H&S Officer
 

It was brought to our attention thatparts of the street lighting was not working in Crozier Terrance leading to The Lodge, causing staff to feel very vulnerable when coming to or leaving the site.
UNISON reps contacted the Trusts Estates who immediately contacted LB Hackney Council to get the lights fixed, we will be monitoring the situation.
8.2.10  - Update
The problems have not been addressed, the lights are still not working on Trust premises and in Crozier Terrace, we will be raising the lack of progress via the Forensic LSC and be contacting Hackney Council ourselves to pursue this complaint.

Thompsons Personal Injury Law Review
The latest edition of Thompsons Personal Injury Law Review publication can be downloaded below.
Acrobat PDF (602201 bytes)For further information go to:
www.thompsons.law.co.uk

Night shifts More and more people are expected to work nights, but how do you adjust your body clock to the new routine and are there health risks involved?

Around 17% of all employees in the UK (about 4.1 million) work shifts, and while this is to be expected in industries such as the medical profession and security, our move into a 24 hour world has snowballed the number of professions that expect their employees to work nights.

What are the risks? There may be more money in shift work but there are also risks. One study conducted last year showed that working night shifts makes you three times as likely to suffer from heart disease. Another study from 2000 revealed that a lack of sleep causes as many car accidents as too much alcohol with 45,000 Brits either seriously injured or killed as a result of driver tiredness.

Poor sleeping habits have also been linked to mental health problems, cancer, common colds, depression, diabetes, obesity and strokes.

Why the sleep problems: As we are not naturally designed to work nights shift work will mess with your sleep patterns. However, with a little forward planning you'll adjust in no time.

On average, your body needs approximately 5 - 9 hours sleep every 24 hours. Doctors recommend 8 hours. It doesn't matter whether you hit the sack during the day or night. What counts is that you establish a routine. This means going to bed at the same time, and waking up at a set time too. The waking at the same time is more important. Get a pattern going, and your body clock will soon be setting itself.

To guarantee the shut-eye you so desperately need:

• Avoid eating too much before you head for bed.
• Steer clear of stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
• Allow yourself wind down time between getting home and going to sleep.
• If you're kipping during daylight hours, and don't want to be awoken by the sun glaring through the glass, try hanging drapes or black out curtains over the windows.
• Also make sure your bed itself is properly supported. A firm level mattress is essential, so stick a sheet of plywood underneath if necessary.
• Don't use over-the-counter sleeping pills for more than 2 weeks as you can become dependent; consult your GP.
• Use your bedroom for sleeping and sex only: that means no TV, no computer, no work.

To stay awake on your shift:

• Twilight is the hardest time to stay awake. At around 2 or 3 am make sure you have enough stimulating work to do. Keep busy.
• Don't get too comfortable or too warm.
• Use fresh air/ a short walk rather than stimulants to keep yourself awake.
• Make sure there is plenty of light in your workplace.
• Try not to go out before your night shift, this will make you more tired, and alcohol will make it even worse.
• Do some exercise before your shift to give you more energy and keep you alert.