THURSDAY 17th JULY AT 14:30 IN THE ASSESSMENT CENTRE MEETING ROOM, LOTHINGLAND

Present: Cliff Dawson, Raymond Hill, Glyn Reynolds and Annette Petty (Chair/Minutes)

Apologies: Philip Bloyce, Ian Talbot, Andy Willcox, Julie Cracknell, Paul Taylor, Kay Dawson, Wendy Arbon and Theresa Stone

1.      Minutes of the previous meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 May were agreed as a true and accurate record.

2.      Matters Arising

a)   Page 1.2a                                                                                                                                                                                    Annette to chase up.

b)   Page 1.2c                                                                                                                                                                                      Andrea due to return to work in September - Annette to contact her.

c)   Page 1.2d                                                                                                                                                                                     Annette to email D. Rollinson with a copy to Ron Baker

d)   Page 1.2e                                                                                                                                                                                            Ray to forward copy of SCDC Lone Working Policy for Glyn to compare.

e)   Page 1.2g                                                                                                                                                                                           Cliff has spoken to Richard Lacey in Estates regarding the ongoing filing cabinets problem and was told it was “not their problem”. Philip we understand has now become involved with the issue on staff side and letters have been sent. Cost of transferring the files onto microfilm is also being investigated.

f)    Page 1.2h                                                                                                                                                                                        CCTV still out of focus at night. A letter has been sent to David Leckie from Ray but no reply received to date. 

g)   Page 1.2i                                                                                                                                                                                       Wendy has met with Francis Gibson and parking permits have been issued. Wendy is attending the site H&S meeting at Hartismere.

h)   Page 2.3c                                                                                                                                                                                       Works at the General are complete, works have commenced at Bartlet. Ray/Julie to carry out risk assessment at General and report back at September’s meeting to include taps/regulators which have been a problem.

i)    Page 2.3.e                                                                                                                                                                                       Noise Problem - Ron Baker carried out a risk assessment at Lothingland unit 2 weeks ago regarding the patient who is still causing nuisance. A Group Meeting will be held in due course. Glyn to keep completing risk assessment reports for staff who are being affected by this patient’s behaviour.

j)    Page 2.4a                                                                                                                                                                                           Ray to take draft First Aiders payment/policy to the Staff Forum on 24 July for approval. A H&S Group meet on a monthly basis. The sub-committee consists of Paul Taylor, Ian Talbot, Ray Hill, Karen Thompson (Beccles) and Ron Baker and will reconvene on Ian’s return on 28 July. Mick Murphy Residential Lead’s training is currently ongoing.

k)   Page 3.4b                                                                                                                                                                                    Annette contacted Ann Newton at Ipswich Hospital but no reply to date - will contact the secretary who works mornings. Cliff to obtain a copy of the guidelines from Chris Haslop at Walker Close.

l)    Page 3.4c                                                                                                                                                                                     Annette to chase Occupational Health in respect of the 200 staff employed at Lothingland with regard to their vaccination notification letters.

m)  Page 3.4d                                                                                                                                                                                           Cliff to obtain copies from Supplies at SCH on 18 July for Glyn on how to purchase COSHH regulations. Cleaning fluids that Lothingland staff use which are dangerous (i.e. Mr Muscle) to be raised at the Staff Forum on 24 July. Group homes/individual units have always purchased their own supplies.

3.    Stewards Reports

a)    Paul Taylor                                                                                                                                                                                         Paul reiterated that the Zero Tolerance Policy must be enforced at Lothingland and all incidents must be recorded in the light of the violent incidents which recently occurred at Bungalow 5, Walker Close. Annette to chase if Paul has received a reply from Chelmsford H&S/written to Paula Clarke. Paul has written to Sam Gillings-Taylor regarding fire escape routes - reply received yet? Parking at Walker Close has improved since a letter was sent to all staff in June

b)   Cliff Dawson                                                                                                                                                                                       Cliff to re-inspect Training Bungalow/Foxhall Cottages. Walker Close is due for a re-inspection. Paul - please can you clarify to Cliff exactly what his responsibilities are at Walker Close for inspections. Paul has completed a report for the garages at Bungalow 5. 

c)   Ray Hill                                                                                                                                                                                     Felixstowe General works are complete - now starting at Bartlet. Ray to chase David Leckie regarding CCTV at night. Julie Cracknell has completed her H&S Stage I training. Ray to attend the H&S Group meeting at Suffolk Coastal on 5 August.

d)   Glyn Reynolds                                                                                                                                                                        Inspections ongoing.  Emergency lighting is a problem in two of the units. Estates confirm that the lighting is sufficient in 6 & 7 rebuild units. The Fire Officer is involved, an inspection has been carried out and noted and the matter is ongoing. Glyn to ask F.O. to enforce the lighting issue. Emergency fire buttons are causing problems being set off by a patient on a regular basis, they should be key operated. Glyn has written to management outlining the ongoing problem, if no reply will write to Richard Lacey in Estates. John Cullum has been sent the re-inspection report. Door handles ongoing problem.

4.   AOB

a)   H&S Risk Assessment Workshop will take place on Tuesday 22 July at Bury St Edmunds - confirmed places are:- Glyn Reynolds, Ray Hill, Cliff Dawson, Andy Willcox, Julie Cracknell, Kay Dawson, Arthur White, Noel Maher

b)     Pat Burgess (Aldeburgh), Elizabeth Potter (Heathfields Respite Unit, Newmarket) and Judith Wilson (Sudbury CMHT) were all ratified as new Health & Safety Stewards for the Branch.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 4:15pm

5.   Date/Time of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 11 September, 2:30pm, Assessment Centre, Lothingland                                   (Apologies received from Cliff Dawson).

Any agenda items to be forwarded to Annette by no later than 1 September.

ADP