17 October 2003
The Commons' Public Accounts Committee has lent its support to a national health and safety strategy for the NHS.
In a report published this week, the PAC concluded that the increase in work-related accidents among health workers illustrated a clear need for national co-ordination of existing and new health and safety initiatives across the NHS.
The MPs found that although trusts had improved their accident reporting systems, there was a lack of consistency in the way this was done. The committee recommended that the Department of Health encourage trusts to provide more comprehensive information on the nature of accidents.
The PAC also urged the DoH to work with the NHS Litigation Authority and the NHS Pensions Agency to monitor compensation claims and ensure proper management and controlled payment.
Committee chair Edward Leigh said it was 'extremely disappointing' that the number of reported accidents of NHS staff had fallen short of national improvement targets and increased to more than 135,000 in 2001/02.
'Overall, accidents result in staff shortages and increased workloads… and directly cost the health service over £170m a year. This underscores the clear need for a national health and safety strategy in the NHS and for the department to ensure that the number of accidents is reduced in all trusts,' he said.
Following on from a National Audit Office recommendation, the DoH has brought together a group to co-ordinate NHS health and safety matters and is planning to develop a national strategy.
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