Introducing a new Health and Safety volunteer role

To mark World Safety and Health at Work Day on 28 April, a new LUHFT volunteer staff role has been created to further enhance the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff, and to build on the Trust’s health and safety culture.

The newly appointed Health, Safety and Fire Champions will act as advocates, promoting and increasing awareness about the importance of health, safety and fire with colleagues. They will also provide encouragement to support a positive culture locally and across the Trust.

Health and Safety Manager, Steven Hall, said: “The Champions will act as our eyes and ears within their department and can communicate any concerns around safety and wellbeing directly to us. They can also inform us of good practice within their department which may be used in other areas to further enhance the safety and wellbeing of staff and patients. We are actively looking for more Champions across all sites and encourage staff who would like to become a Champion to volunteer.”

Currently there are five Health, Safety and Fire Champions on the Aintree site with plans to recruit volunteers across the Broadgreen and Royal sites by August.

Amieejean Hewitt, who volunteers as a Champion for Ward 10 (Gastroenterology) at Aintree, said: “I was originally approached by my Matron to become a Champion for our Ward. When the opportunity arose I jumped at it because I think everyone should be educated about the importance of health and safety in the workplace.”

If you are interested in becoming a Health, Safety and Fire Champion, please contact the Health and Safety Team on HealthandSafety@ liverpoolft.nhs.uk.