Our roleWe exist to protect, promote and maintain the health and safety of our patients and employees by ensuring professional standards are upheld in everything we do.
As a clinic we have a responsibility to safeguard those that work for us and with us and those we come into contact with from harm.
What is safeguarding?In its simplest form, safeguarding means keeping people safe from harm. This covers all forms of abuse and harm, including physical, emotional and sexual harm.
Safeguarding covers both our beneficiaries: patients and members of the public, as well as our staff and others that work for us and with us..
Our commitmentWe are committed to protecting the public, our staff and others that work for us and with us from harm. This means we will:
- be proactive in identifying concerns
- listen carefully to the concerns that are raised
- assess the risk and escalate when needed
- refer to other organisations where necessary.
- In doing so, we will maintain appropriate confidentiality at all times.
Safeguarding is the responsibility of everybody at Appletree Clinic. Through regular training, briefings and updates, everyone at at Appletree Clinic will understand their safeguarding responsibilities and how to act on any concern they have.
Our
health and safety policy makes clear our aim to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment for all our staff, wherever they work.
In turn we are clear on the
behaviours we expect from all staff. Everyone is responsible for their own behaviour and should:
- treat everyone with dignity and respect
- not bully or harass anyone
- not victimise or attempt to victimise anyone who has made complaints of discrimination, or provided information to support a complaint
- report incidents to their manager if they think they are inappropriate.
- act on potential harm to staff
Acting on potential harm to othersThrough our activities we may come into contact with those who are vulnerable, including doctors, patients and members of the public.
Where there is evidence that suggests someone may be at risk of harm to themselves, we have guidance to help our staff assess risk and act accordingly, including contacting the emergency services where necessary. This includes an interactive tool to assist all staff if they encounter an individual who is suicidal.
Where we have information relating to criminal conduct or evidence that suggests there is a risk of harm to others, we have guidance and procedures to support staff on raising concerns. This includes, where appropriate, raising concerns with the police and with social services.
Where we have reason to think that an individual who carries out a role working with children or vulnerable adults may pose a risk of harm, we have guidance and procedures for staff to make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service in England and Wales or Disclosure Scotland.
We'll review this policy annually to make sure it remains fit for purpose.
