Anti-fraud information
Fraud and corruption within the NHS is unacceptable and diverts valuable resources away from patient care.
Measures to counter NHS fraud were established in 1998 and in 2003 the NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service (CFSMS) was established. Local anti-fraud specialists are established in all NHS Trusts to assist in reducing fraud and corruption to the absolute minimum.
UHMBT's local anti-fraud specialist is Neil McQueen.
This short video explains more about Neil's role, and how to get in touch.
Fire Safety
Here at UMBHT the safety of all our patients, visitors and staff is taken extremely seriously, fire safety is no exception. The fire safety team ensure that UHMBT is compliant with current legislation the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
All UHMBT buildings are periodically inspected for fire safety compliance and all staff undertake annual fire safety training.
Trust buildings have been designed with the required Means of Escape for their use.
The travel distance from any point within a room to a point where there is choice of escape routes, or a final fire exit door is shorter than the permitted maximum limit.
The travel distance for all exit routes is less than the permitted maximum.
From the upper floors the building is serviced by the required number of staircases designed to accommodate the building occupancy.
Directional fire exit signage is provided, suitably sized and worded.
Final exit doors are secured by a single action lock, either a “Push Bar” to open or a “Thumb turn” latch.
All fire exit doors fitted with electronic locks are:
- Failsafe to open on power failure
- Operation of the fire alarm
- Provided with a green break glass override for non-fire emergencies
Fire Action Notices are displayed at strategic points, detailing the action to take on discovering a fire or on hearing the fire alarm.
Emergency lighting is provided to the required British Standard providing illumination when required to:
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Exit routes
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Final exit doors
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Fire alarm call points
The fire alarm system provides the required number of manual call points and fire alarm sounders.
The system has smoke or heat detection within all areas.
The fire alarm sounds a continuous signal in the fire area
The fire alarm sounds an intermittent alarm in the areas next to the fire area - early warning
The fire alarm is a monitored system.
Fire extinguishers are provided adjacent final exit doors, manual call points and covering specific risks.
Smoke detection is fitted to all areas, microwaves, toasters and kettles should only be used in designated brew areas.
All staff undertake Mandatory:
- Departmental Fire Safety Awareness Training on an annual basis which will be delivered locally by Line Managers / Supervisors and being bespoke to your work environment.
- General Fire Safety Awareness Training via e-learning on a 2 yearly cycle.
There are controlled and routine fire alarm tests:
- Royal Lancaster Infirmary - Wed 11:00
- Furness General Hospital - Wed 08:45
- Westmorland General Hospital - Tues 10:00
- Queen Victoria Hospital - Wed 11:00
Infection prevention
Before you start and in your first few weeks we want to do all we can to help you settle in. We know you may never have worked in a healthcare environment or this may be the next step in your healthcare career. Here is some useful information for you to be aware of for your first day regarding infection prevention whatever your role at UHMBT.
In this section you will find basic information on:
- how to keep yourself and others safe from infection
- how to contact members of the Infection Prevention Team
- where to find polices, procedures and further information.
More information and support will be included as part of your local workplace induction and core skills/job essential training once you start. Further information and infection prevention policies can be found on the staff intranet.
All colleagues who are symptomatic with COVID-19 or Influenza symptoms should remain absent from the workplace until they are 48 hours symptom free. You can return to work as long as you are feeling better with no fever or acute cough.
Testing for COVID-19 is not required for diagnosis or for a return to work, unless you are working with immunocompromised patients. As above you would need to be well and symptom free prior to your return.
Health care associated infections (HCAI) are those that develop as a result of any contact in a health care setting.
HCAI's cost the NHs millions every year, due to extra bed days, extra tests and medications. This can result in patients being harmed or even lead to death. The most common HCAI is hospital acquired pneumonia which accounts for 22%.
The most common causes include contaminated hands of health workers, surfaces, medical devices, and failure of staff to comply with local policies and guidelines.
Good hand hygiene practice is the single most important factor in reducing the spread of infection.
Researchers in London estimate that if everyone routinely washed their hands, a million deaths a year could be prevented (CDC). Hygiene Fast Facts | Hygiene | Healthy Water | CDC
When performed correctly, hand hygiene results in a reduction of micro-organisms on hands and contributes to prevention of healthcare-associated infection and improved patient safety.
See the NHS guidance on how to properly wash your hands.
You will find the hand washing techniques on all soap and hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the trust.
Washing your hands with soap and water removes organisms and helps prevent infection. People frequently touch their face ,eyes, nose, mouth — without even realizing it. Microorganisms can easily enter the body through touching your face, so following the 7 techniques is very important!
Your hand hygiene technique will be assessed on commencement of employment, and then annually there after.
Bare below the elbows
Any member of staff who works or goes into a clinical area needs to be bare below the elbows with the exception of a plain band wedding ring.
Colleagues SHOULD NOT wear:
- Long sleeved clothing (for religious reasons a sleeve may be able to sit just below the elbow)
- Watches, bracelets or fitbits on wrist
- Stoned rings.
- Nail varnish, gel nails etc and nails should be kept short
We ask that you adhere to the policy at all times as micro-organisms can harbour in watches and other accessories and under stones in rings. It also ensures effective hand washing techniques.
It maintains a professional image and avoids personal injury and injury to those being cared for.
Micro-organisms can survive on surfaces and equipment for a long period of time. This includes key boards, phones, desks, patient related equipment and toilets.
Effective cleaning along with hand hygiene is essential for the reduction of micro-organisms within the environment which could pass from person to person when touched.