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 that some of you may have never worked or have worked in a different 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.
The Infection Prevention team can be contacted via telephone for advice between the hours of 0800H – 1700H at FGH Site 01229 491121 and RLI Site 01524 512485. Alternatively, we also have our shared mailbox ip.team@mbht.nhs.uk.
Our Infection Prevention policies are based on the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for England following the Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions, for all staff, at all times, and in all healthcare settings.
You will be supported to complete your IPC training when you join your respective teams highlighting the importance of the following IPC expectations:
- Hand hygiene and Bare below the elbows practice
- Use of correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for safe donning (putting on) and doffing (removing).
- Uptake of immunisation / vaccination
Staff must be 48 hours symptom free before returning to work after symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting; and after symptoms of respiratory infection. Testing for respiratory infection and diarrhoea and/or vomiting is NOT required for diagnosis or for return to work unless you are working with immunocompromised patients. Please contact your line manager and/or the Occupational health team (01524 512290 and occhealth.referrals@mbht.nhs.uk) for further information on returning to work and for advice on other work-related injuries.
Health care associated infections (HCAI) are those that develop as a result of any contact in a health care setting. We are mandated by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to report the number of HCAIs we have in the trust.
Examples of HCAIs are hospital acquired pneumonia, gram negative blood stream infections and infectious diarrhoea like Clostridium difficile.
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 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 especially HCAIs. Handwashing with soap removes organisms from our hands and prevents them from being passed to patients, colleagues, friends and family.
People frequently touch their eyes, nose and mouth without realising then will go onto touch other people and /or objects/surfaces.
Organisms can then get into the body through the mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth and cause illness.
World Health Organisation Hand hygiene information
UK Health Security Agency handwashing advice
Please take special note of washing your wrists as the final step to hand hygiene.
Bare below the elbows
To help facilitate effective hand hygiene ALL STAFF within a clinical area must be bare below the elbows.
- Hands and arms up to the elbow should be exposed and free from clothing / jewellery except for one smooth band ring.
- Staff may wear disposable oversleeves if required for cultural or religious reasons
- Nails must be clean, short and free from nail varnish. False nails or acrylic nails are not permitted.
- Watches, fitbits, bracelets are also not permitted
Any staff who does not wear a uniform but are entering a clinical area must also be Bare Below the Elbows.
Bare below the elbows 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 door handles, keyboards, phones, desks, patient-related equipment and toilets.
Effective cleaning should be carried out with trust-approved wipes or cleaning agents. We recommend that you liaise with the Patient Environment Services (PES) Domestic staff and line manager if you need further information with regards to cleaning.
Safe management of spillages of blood & other body fluids may transmit blood borne viruses (Hep B, Hep C & HIV) spillages must be treated immediately following the trust guidance. Safe disposal of waste management should be followed, the orange bins and bags are for infectious waste.
Effective cleaning along with hand hygiene is essential for the reduction of microorganisms within the environment which could pass from person to person when touched.