🏥 Who are Health and Care Workers?
Health and care workers include:
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Doctors
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Nurses (including disability and mental health nurses)
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Paramedics (emergency care workers)
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Social workers
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Occupational therapists (OTs)
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Carers and support workers
⚠️ Why is Health and Safety Important in Care?
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To protect patients, clients, and staff.
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To stop accidents, injuries, or infections.
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To make sure everyone is treated fairly and safely.
🧴 Key Areas of Safety
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Infection control: washing hands, wearing gloves, using masks.
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Moving and handling: using safe lifting methods and equipment.
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Medication safety: giving the right medicine, in the right way, at the right time.
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Confidentiality: keeping patient and client information private.
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Mental health support: understanding stress, anxiety, and depression.
⚖️ Laws and Standards
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UK: Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), Equality Act (2010), Care Act (2014).
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USA: Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HIPAA (privacy law).
✅ Good Practice for Health and Care Staff
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Report risks and accidents quickly.
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Follow workplace safety rules.
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Respect patient rights and dignity.
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Get training and support when needed.
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Look after your own wellbeing as well as others.
📝 Quiz: Health and Safety in Care Work
Q1. Which of these are health and care workers?
a) Doctors, nurses, paramedics, social workers, OTs, carers
b) Only doctors and nurses
c) Only carers
Q2. Why is health and safety important in care?
a) To protect patients, clients, and staff
b) To punish staff
c) To make jobs harder
Q3. Which is an example of infection control?
a) Washing hands and wearing gloves
b) Sharing equipment without cleaning
c) Ignoring hygiene
Q4. Which UK law helps protect care workers and patients?
a) Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
b) Data Protection Act (1998)
c) Civil Rights Act (1964)
Q5. What should staff do if they see a safety risk?
a) Keep quiet
b) Report it quickly
c) Ignore it
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