The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has shared the details of an inspection programme focusing on managing violence and aggression (V&A), and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in the NHS with Chief Executives of Boards and Trusts across Great Britain, as well as NHS stakeholder groups and unions.
The inspection programme was carried out between 2018 and 2022 and assessed the management of risk from V&A and MSDs in NHS Trusts and Boards.
It identified management failings in four broad areas:
• Risk assessment
• Training
• Roles and responsibilities
• Monitoring and review.
In general, the inspections found that NHS employers do have policies in procedures in place, but they are often not monitored or reviewed to ensure they work in practice, or remain effective.
Where breaches of the law were found during the inspections, measures have been taken, including the issuing of Improvement Notices.
HSE will be carrying out further inspections with the NHS over the next 12 months, focusing on the key areas identified.
John Crookes, HSE’s Head of Health and Social Care Services Sector, says: “We hope all NHS Trusts and Boards will take note of our findings and review their operations to check these risks are being managed effectively.”
Guidance and advice is available on the HSE deadline: Guidance on violence at work and Managing musculoskeletal disorders risk at work.
