LONE WORKER POLICY

There appears to have been confusion within the Trust about the Lone Working policy. UNISON would like to inform all members that the policy is still valid and should be adhered to in order to protect themselves.

Due to members concerns two specific issues were raised at the last JSG with senior management and, as a result, we can confirm the following:-

EOC can ask a lone worker to attend any incident and the lone worker should run towards the address. Dependant on the incident, the location or any other issues members are not happy with, the lone worker can decide to ‘stand off’ at a safe location near the scene.

The final decision as to whether you actually go into the incident lies with the lone worker and their own risk assessment. No other person can make this decision or force you into a situation you are not happy with. You should however inform EOC that your intention is to ‘stand off’ at a safe distance.

Technicians, who do the paramedic conversion course, should come off the RRV for a period of 3 months to work with another paramedic. This is an agreed part of the policy to give newly qualified paramedics time to gain confidence in their new skills and get support from other paramedics before undertaking lone working again. From a health and safety perspective it is important that both staff and management adhere to this.

We hope this clears up any uncertainty.