Lone working in health and social care
10th March 2024
Written by Vicki Allen
In today’s ever-evolving landscape, the surge in remote work enabled by technological advancements has led to a notable presence of lone workers in just about every industry today. It is believed that 22% (or 8 million people) of the UK work force fall into the category of lone workers. Lone working is particularly common in health and social care job roles, with over 1.6 million individuals working in the adult social care sector, many of whom spend significant periods of their time working alone. It is estimated that 400,000 NHS employees fulfil their duties as lone workers, though the figures relating to the private sector remain largely unknown.
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Surprisingly, many individuals functioning in solitary roles may not even recognise themselves as lone workers. One report found that over 50% of lone workers did not personally identify with the term. Lone workers can be anyone who is out of sight or earshot of another colleague, even for just a short period of their working day. It is therefore important that both employers and employees are aware of lone-working best practices to ensure the safety and well-being of the workforce.
A 2019 survey reported that, in the past year, 15% of NHS staff had experienced physical violence from patients and other members of the public, and the results of a 2020 NHS staff survey described that more than 1 in 3 workers had experienced at least one incident of abuse or harassment in the previous 12 months. The inherent vulnerability of lone workers to unforeseen circumstances heightens the risk of harm, exacerbated by the challenge of seeking assistance when alone. Recognising this, the Health and Safety Executive have released guidance on lone working for both employers and employees (this can be found here).
Guidelines provided by the NHS Health, Safety and Wellbeing group advise that employers have the responsibility to:
- Carry out risk assessments
- Seek preventative ways of reducing risk
- Have a clear lone working policy in place
- Provide training and support
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the increase of people working alone, the number of employers adopting the use of lone worker smartphone apps has soared. These apps can offer a cost-effective means of enhancing staff safety and instilling a sense of security in the workplace.
As the prevalence of lone working continues to increase, particularly in sectors such as health and social care, it underscores the importance of this subject for both employers and employees alike.
Our next blog post will highlight ways in which lone working practices can be optimised, ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all.
Sources:
https://www.hsepeople.com/uk-has-5-million-hidden-lone-workers-staysafe/
https://staysafeapp.com/blog/protecting-lone-workers-in-the-nhs/
https://www.safepointapp.com/blog/lone-working-in-social-care
https://www.hse.gov.uk/lone-working/
https://www.nhsemployers.org/publications/improving-personal-safety-lone-workers