"Prepare, Practice, Protect: Improving Carbon Monoxide Safety in Health and Care Services" is the latest report to be published by the All-Party Parliamentary Carbon Monoxide Group.
The Report examines the extent to which frontline health and social care professionals (HSCPs) are aware of and protected from carbon monoxide. It also sets out how improvements can be made in an effective, manageable, and practical way.
The findings show that awareness of carbon monoxide exposure is low, and many health care professionals are not aware of the correct actions to take once exposure is suspected.
The CO Research Trust were one of the Report sponsors. Chief Executive Adrian McConnell said.
"The report highlights the role frontline health and social care professionals play, as the 'canary in the mine', when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable members of society. It emphasises the need to listen carefully to frontline staff and recommends several actions that should be taken to provide the framework, training and support they need to protect themselves and their patients."
Adrian continued.
"As COVID and the cost-of-living crisis has shown, these professionals are the often-unsung heroes of health and social care services, and we hope that decision makers will carefully consider this report."
The Gas Safe Register has found a high level (1 in 5) of faulty or dangerous gas appliances in homes in the UK, which could harm occupants by emitting carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
HSCPs such as occupational therapists, social workers, midwives, nurses, and care workers are ideally placed to identify and address carbon monoxide exposure: with status as a trusted adviser, access to the individual’s home, and existing healthcare knowledge.
However, individual professionals can only do so much alone. For change to be effective, it must be supported by sector-wide safety practices and protocols to follow.
The report’s recommendations are written for those with influence in the sector: regulatory bodies, professional bodies, local and central government.
The co-benefits of good practice are clear: a healthy and educated workforce, reduced demand on the health care system, and better public health. All these advantages can be gained by implementing small changes, such as training to enable early identification of carbon monoxide poisoning, and taking preventative action, such as installing alarms and regular appliance servicing.
- Ends -
About the CO Research Trust
The CO Research Trust is a registered charity which was established in 2005. The vision of the charity is a world where people are not exposed to carbon monoxide (CO).
For more information please contact;
Natalie Fleck
CO Research Trust