1. Statement of Intent
Coast Medic recognises its duty of care and legal obligations under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations, to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all staff; volunteers, contractors, service users, patients and members of the public who may be affected by our work.
We are committed to:
- Providing safe environments, vehicles, and equipment.
- Maintaining safe systems of work across all activities.
- Protecting the welfare and dignity of vulnerable adults and children.
- Ensuring compliance with CQC Fundamental Standards, NHS best practice and commissioning service requirements.
- Promoting a positive safety culture where everyone takes responsibility for health, safety, and safeguarding.
2. Our Commitments
Coast Medic will:
- Carry out risk assessments and implement appropriate controls.
- Provide health, safety, and safeguarding training to all staff.
- Maintain robust systems for incident reporting, investigation, and learning.
- Ensure secure management of medicines and medical equipment.
- Protect staff from violence, aggression, and abuse.
- Ensure safe practices for infection prevention and control (IPC).
- Promote mental health, wellbeing, and post-incident support.
- Safeguard children and vulnerable adults in line with statutory guidance.
- Consult and engage staff on health and safety matters.
- Monitor and review performance annually.
3. Roles & Responsibilities
3.1 Board of Trustees
- Hold ultimate accountability for health, safety, and safeguarding.
- Receive quarterly reports and review annual audits.
3.2 Operations Manager (H&S Lead)
- Strategic responsibility for health and safety implementation.
- Ensures adequate resources are available.
3.3 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
- Ensures safeguarding of children and adults at risk is embedded within H&S arrangements.
- Liaises with statutory agencies when safeguarding issues intersect with H&S concerns.
3.4 Managers & Supervisors
- Enforce safe systems of work.
- Monitor staff compliance.
- Report hazards, incidents, and safeguarding concerns.
3.5 Employees, Volunteers & Contractors
- Take reasonable care of their own and others’ safety.
- Follow policies, procedures, and training.
- Report hazards, near-misses, safeguarding concerns, or unsafe practices immediately.
4. Risk Assessment
- All activities will be risk assessed in line with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
- Dynamic risk assessments will be conducted in the field (events, ambulance transfers, emergency response).
- Risk assessments will be reviewed annually or after significant incidents.
5. Incident Reporting & Investigation
- All accidents, incidents, near-misses, and safeguarding events must be reported.
- The Incident Reporting System will be used for recording.
- RIDDOR-reportable incidents will be escalated to the HSE.
- Investigations will identify root causes and lessons learned.
- Trends will be monitored and shared with Trustees.
6. Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)
- Coast Medic will comply with national IPC guidance.
- Staff will follow hand hygiene, PPE, sharps, and decontamination protocols.
- Clinical waste will be disposed of by licensed contractors.
- IPC audits will be conducted regularly.
7. Violence and Aggression
- Coast Medic has a zero tolerance policy towards violence, aggression, and abuse.
- All incidents will be reported, investigated, and escalated where necessary.
- Staff will receive conflict resolution and de-escalation training.
- Lone working and event environments will be risk assessed for security.
- Police will be engaged where criminal behaviour occurs.
8. Fire Safety
- Premises and vehicles will be equipped with fire safety measures.
- Fire risk assessments will be maintained.
- Extinguishers, alarms, and drills will be tested and recorded.
9. First Aid & Medical Emergencies
- Coast Medic will ensure adequate first aid provision at all times.
- Ambulances and kits will meet CQC and Resuscitation Council UK standards.
- All staff will be trained in emergency response.
10. Lone Working
- Risk assessments will address lone working scenarios.
- Staff will use check-in/out systems and carry radios or phones.
- Additional safeguarding measures apply for lone workers dealing with vulnerable adults.
11. Manual Handling & Work Equipment
- Training provided in manual handling and use of equipment.
- Stretchers, wheelchairs, and medical devices will be inspected.
- Defective equipment must be removed from service immediately.
12. Medicines Management
- Medicines will be stored securely in approved cabinets/vehicles.
- Stock control, expiry and disposal logs will be maintained.
- Controlled drugs will be managed under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
- Only trained and authorised staff may administer medicines.
- Medication errors or near-misses must be reported and investigated.
13. Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
- Coast Medic recognises its duty under the Care Act 2014 to protect adults at risk.
- Adults at risk are those aged 18+ who:
- Have needs for care and support;
- Are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- As a result, cannot protect themselves.
- Staff must:
- Report concerns to the DSL immediately.
- Work in partnership with Adult Social Care, MARU, Police, and Safeguarding Adults Boards.
- Abuse types include: physical, sexual, psychological, financial, discriminatory, neglect, organisational, domestic abuse, and self-neglect.
- Where consent cannot be obtained, referrals will still be made in the individual’s best interests.
14. Debriefings Following Significant Incidents
- Hot debriefs will occur immediately after critical incidents.
- Structured debriefs will follow for serious or traumatic events.
- Staff will be supported through counselling, TRiM, or Occupational Health.
- Lessons learned will be actioned and recorded.
15. Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Coast Medic will support staff wellbeing, stress management, and fatigue prevention.
- Rostering will allow safe rest breaks.
- Access to wellbeing services will be provided.
16. Consultation & Communication
- Coast Medic will engage staff in H&S matters through briefings, newsletters, and training.
- Staff feedback will inform improvements.
17. Monitoring & Review
- Health & Safety performance will be monitored via audits, inspections, and incident data.
- Trustees will review H&S performance annually.
- Policy will be reviewed every 12 months or after major change.
18. Useful Contacts
- HSE – www.hse.gov.uk / 0300 003 1747
- NHS 111 – urgent health advice
- 999 – emergencies
- Cornwall MARU – 0300 1231 116 (safeguarding children & adults)
- Cornwall Adult Social Care – 0300 1234 131