When thinking of duty of care and healthcare, we often think of the responsibilities of healthcare workers to their patients. While this is also important, it’s equally as important not to overlook the duty of care to the healthcare professionals themselves. To execute their duty to their patients it’s important to make sure that healthcare professional can perform their jobs safely. That also means without fear or concern for their personal safety.
We can never eliminate all risks from a situation, it’s just not possible. But that’s why lone working employees should be provided with proper risk assessments as Brennan suggests. Providing the same sense of security to lone workers as those who are in a more supervised or supported environment. WSG provides a free lone worker rapid risk assessment template for those who need assistance in getting started. This was modelled on the work of Walter Brennan who is an authority on the subject (Brennan 2010). WSG also provides an adapted risk assessment action plan to help you change paper into procedures. Providing a safer working environment starts with understanding the risks as well as identifying them.