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SUPERBUG HAZARD
07.07.2008 15:51:45

Superbug hazard as medics 'stopped from cleaning ambulances'

PATIENTS are being exposed to potentially lethal superbugs because ambulances aren't being cleaned properly, it was claimed today.
Paramedics' leaders and those working on the frontline - including a crew member from West Lothian - have hit out at bosses, claiming their requests to "deep clean" vehicles after patients have been sick or had diarrhoea have been turned down.

They say they are not allowed to spend time cleaning the vehicles in case they compromise response targets. From April 2009, paramedics will have to answer 75 per cent of life-threatening emergencies within eight minutes.

The Scottish Ambulance Service is already gearing up to meet the target but paramedics say unacceptable corners are being cut, encouraging the spread of germs, including MRSA and clostridium difficile. Jonathan Fox from the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel said: "The fight against superbugs cannot stop at the hospital door.

"The ambulance service is part of the total patient care package and nobody should have to be transported or work in a dirty ambulance. The issue of ambulance cleanliness is simply not being taken seriously enough."

A paramedic from West Lothian said: "We just don't have time to clean the vehicle - we're struggling. It's getting worse with the pressure of work and calls have gone through the roof.

"In this day and age, with the amount of infection going about, an ambulance should be deep cleaned at least once a week but that isn't happening."

One ambulance technician added: "The emphasis on the eight-minute target is the main problem. Our concern is that we are being refused permission to even clean vehicles between jobs, even if it's not fit for purpose."

The public service union Unison praised the practice adopted by the London Ambulance Service.

It has been described as leading the way in dealing with the problem with a "make-ready" system.

On-site cleaners routinely clean the fleet, work nights and carry out deep-cleans. They also re-stock ambulance with fresh kit so crews do not have to spend their time cleaning and re-stocking.

Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, Helen Eadie, has raised the cleanliness issue of Scottish ambulances with Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon following complaints made by crews in her area.

A spokesman for the Scottish Ambulance Service insisted that adequate infection-control policies were in place.

He said: "Standards of infection control are very important to us.

"We require that vehicles should have both a daily and weekly clean, and that the interior of the vehicle is wiped down after each patient."

Emergency workers in call for stab vests
07.07.2008 08:49:48

FRONTLINE emergency service workers last night called for stab vests to be introduced after health bosses gave them the green light.

The Department of Health yesterday (Sunday) said that NHS workers can have stab-proof vests if local trusts deem the move necessary.

Some paramedics already wear body armour and other staff can have the equipment if security experts in each area give the go-ahead, a health spokesman said.

One union chief representing North East ambulance workers confirmed last night members had approached him regarding the issue, and Peter Warren, the managing director of the Oxfordshire-based Body Armour Company, which supplies the vests mainly to the NHS, also said he had received inquiries from the region.

Nationally, the firm is supplying 10,000 stab vests to local government workers, mainly NHS staff and Mr Warren said he had also had inquiries from schools.

Joel Byers, Unison branch secretary for North East ambulance service said: "I have had phone calls from local staff asking about stab-proof vests and I think it may be the time for a national poll to see whether the majority of ambulance staff want them or not."

"I know some people want them, and some people don't, but if we provide stab vests they would have to be worn all the time whilst on duty, regardless of the job. It can't be left to individual choice.

"What I find really sad is that the ambulance service is even having to discuss the issue - ambulance staff are being assaulted for doing their job and it's a very sad sign of the times."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "The Government takes the safety of NHS staff extremely seriously.

"Workers can have stab vests if it is decided they are necessary by their local NHS trust."

Health Secretary Alan Johnson earmarked £97m for extra security for NHS workers earlier this year and the comments come amid rising concern over the number of knife attacks in the UK in general, and following a number of stabbings in the region over the weekend.

The North East Strategic Health Authority said last night that at present there is no region-wide policy and the matter is left to individual NHS trusts.

Decisions over whether to give council workers stab vests will also be made by individual authorities, a Local Government Association spokesman said.

He added: "Council workers come into contact with every household across the country in some capacity. Obviously the risk that staff face varies enormously, and their level of protection needs to be both sensible and proportionate. Councils will not hesitate to use the appropriate measures to deal with any risk of attack."

Labour MP for Tynemouth Alan Campbell said stab vests should be made available to frontline emergency workers.

He said: "These are drastic measures, but if public sector workers who find themselves in potentially dangerous situations ask for added protection, then of course we should make it available to them.

"But I also think if someone has been attacked in the line of duty it should
be taken into account during sentencing. Courts have to reflect public feeling on this and the public wants people who carry knives to be locked up."

A.P.A.P. GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION
02.07.2008 16:18:57

Nominations are invited for the post of General Secretary, to be ratified at Conference 09.

In accordance with the Union's Constitution, Nominees should have served on the National Governing Council for a minimum of 6 months.  Nominations can, therefore, only be accepted from current or previous members of the NGC.  If more than one nomination is received, a ballot will be held and nominees will be asked to submit a short election address to accompany the ballot papers.                                                                                             

If any member is interested in this position, Nomination Forms can be obtained from APAP Head Office, and should be returned by post or Fax no later than Friday 1 December 2008 for discussion by the Management Board & NGC in January 09.

The duties and responsibilities of the General Secretary in accordance with the Constitution are as follows:

He/She shall:

•1.       Act as a trustee of the Union.

•2.      Attend all meetings of the NGC and Management Board and shall have the right to speak and vote on any Union business.

•3.      Prepare reports and present them to the NGC, Management Board or Annual Delegates Conference

•4.      Be the day-to-day manager of the Union and its employees and, as such shall be answerable to the NGC for his actions.

•5.      Be empowered to make executive decisions relating to the designation of specific tasks to Officers, who in his opinion meet the criteria for the specific task.

•6.      Be empowered to make executive decisions with the consent of the NGC relating to the appointment of Lay Field Officers and to supervise their training.

•7.      Be empowered to make executive decisions with the consent of the NGC relating to the spending of monies for the benefit of the Union.

•8.      Be empowered to make executive decisions, with the consent of the NGC, relating to the well-being of the Union.

 If you have any further queries regarding this post, please contact Head Office.

DAVID LAKE

Administration Officer

Violence an occupational hazard for paramedics
30.06.2008 16:08:29

PARAMEDICS face assaults and even death threats as they respond to emergencies in the Lothians, it was revealed today. New figures show that while the number of attacks on crews are falling, at least one serious incident is still being recorded every month.

Ambulance chiefs today welcomed the drop in attacks but said any incident remained unacceptable.

The serv ADVERTISEMENT ice now refuses to send crews into certain situations, such as pub brawls, without police assistance.

And they have a list of addresses in the Lothians where known aggressors live and where they will not attend without back-up.

The new figures show attacks in the Lothians have steadily declined since 2005, when there were 23 incidents.

The biggest impact has been made by the Emergency Workers Act, which was introduced in Scotland in 2005, making it an offence to impede a firefighter, police officer or paramedic in an emergency situation.

Two years later the number of incidents had halved.

However, not all ambulance staff report abuse and assaults, and union representatives do not believe the problem has gone away.

David Forbes, Unison's regional officer for the ambulance service, said: "I think in some ways it is marginally better, but I don't know how much you can put that down to the Emergency Workers Act.

"There is greater awareness of zero tolerance and I believe there has also been a public revulsion at the actions of a minority. From the point of view of crews, they feel their safety is being treated more seriously."

In one instance, a paramedic based at Livingston, was attacked so badly she was off work for six months.

Lynn Sutherland attended a callout in Harthill, North Lanarkshire, in 2005, only to be confronted by a drunken teenager who threatened her with a glass table.

She persuaded him to put it down but was then attacked by Grahame Donnelly, then 17, who punched her right arm, back, chest and jaw. He was given an 18-month sentence.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "Since 2004 we have had a proactive group working to reduce violence and aggression.

"In that time we have seen the Emergency Workers Act introduced, which has increased the tariff for those offenders who assault our staff, and we have seen a number of successful prosecutions. We will continue to take proactive steps to protect our staff against violence."

Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, said: "Attacks on our emergency workers are completely unacceptable and the Emergency Workers Act gives vital additional legal protection to people who often have to work in difficult or dangerous situations."

Darzi outlines draft NHS constitution
30.06.2008 16:05:20

Lord Darzi today set out the seven principles that underlie the NHS - along with the rights and responsibilities that accompany them.

The draft NHS constitution, published this afternoon, says the NHS should be comprehensive, based on clinical need, highly professional and offer services that reflect the needs of patients, their families and carers.

It should work across boundaries to meet the needs of the population.

The NHS should ensure the best use of taxpayers' money and the most effective and fair use of finite resources. It is accountable to the public, communities and patients.

"Staff rights include fair pay, flexible working, freedom from bullying and discrimination, and the right to representation"

The eight-page draft constitution also sets out a series of rights and pledges to patients and the public. These are built around access, quality of care, the right to treatment approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, respect, consent and confidentiality, choice, involvement and making a complaint.

In return, patients should respect a series of responsibilities that include keeping appointments and taking responsibility for their own health.

Staff also get some rights and pledges. These include fair pay, flexible working, freedom from bullying and discrimination, and the right to representation.

In return, staff are expected to act professionally, protect confidential information and help develop a learning environment.

Source: HSJ.