ACC Gives Wairarapa Hospital Thumbs Up

ACC Gives Wairarapa Hospital Thumbs Up

ACC gave Wairarapa Hospital the thumbs up for the way they manage their Health & Safety, after auditing the hospital in October.

“I just want to congratulate our staff for their efforts,” says Cate Tyrer, Director of Quality, Safety and Risk. “Not only does this mean we are looking after our staff and patients well but it also means we receive ‘tertiary’ level status and a reduction in the levy fees the DHB pays”

The ACC assessment of Wairarapa Hospital’s Workplace Management Safety Practices happens every two years, and involves ‘a huge amount’ of preparation. “I have folders and folders documenting our responses to the requirements that ACC ask us to fulfill,” says Cate. “There’s good reason for this, though – it’s not enough to just say you are doing something – it’s important you can also prove you are doing it.”

“The ACC auditor was very impressed with staff and management’s commitment to a safe work place and she commented on our ‘vibrancy’ about the issue,” says Cate. “She was particularly impressed with intranet developments and how forms, policies and procedures have become much more accessible to all staff via this route.”

The ACC report identified only two active improvement actions - to ensure managers promptly report serious harm, and to arrange for two health and safety representatives to attend the delegate 2 day training.

Audit-related work goes on daily at Wairarpa hosptial, not just in a flurry every two years. Coordination of the work comes under the Quality umbrella, and much of it is achieved through the inspiration and drive of the hosptial’s Health and Safety Committee. Made up of representatives nominated from each Department and floor of the hospital and DHB, their major focus is to promoting wellness and ensuring the DHB is a safe place to work.

In the last two years, the Committee has supported the 10 week ‘Go4energy’ programme to support shiftworkers, weight loss programmes for workers, becoming smokefree and other Go4YourLife initiatives. On a day to day level, the Committee might assess incidents such as spills or infection risks, or deal with any ongoing health concerns for staff.

“Some events or incidences are immediate and need the attention of department heads immediately,” says Julie Roots. a stalwart of Health and Safety Committee. “It’s everybody’s responsibility to draw attention to problems or potential problems. Some matters affect the wellbeing of staff, visitors and patients. Good car-park lighting or evacuation drills are and example of this,” she says. “The committee also has a role in selecting the best beds or lifting equipment, to protect patients but also to avoid any injury to staff.”
The Committee can make recommendations that may lead to hospital-wide action, including revising the cleaning schedule for the air conditioning units, or widening the scope of ‘de-escalation of challenging behaviours’ training, so that all front-line staff can now attend.

“Health and safety only works if everyone is involved,” says Cate. “While you can’t eliminate all hazards, you can recognize it, and take steps manage it. I think this Audit is recognition that our hospital takes the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff very seriously.”

ENDS

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