New Accident Prevention Guidance for Local Authorities in England
A new handbook has been published for English local authorities by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The handbook highlights to local authorities in England why accident prevention should be a priority and gives guidance on how local authorities can reduce the number and severity of accidents taking place in their jurisdictions. There is focus on encouraging the public to take responsibility for their own safety, health and wellbeing.
The handbook was prompted by the huge annual cost to society of accidents and the need to reduce pressure on the NHS, particularly A&E departments.
Part 1 of the Handbook sets out current levels of accidents and their associated costs, and outlines how accident prevention fits into new arrangements for public health, while Part 2 contains case studies, fact sheets and research papers on home safety, road safety, leisure safety and safety education.
Public Health
Since 1 April 2013, local authorities in England have taken responsibility for delivery of public health under the new framework in the Health & Social Care Act 2012. They have a duty to complete a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), establish a Health and Wellbeing Strategy and investment plan, and prepare to commission public health services.
The new guidance is intended as a handbook for local authorities, directors of public health, directors of adult services and children's services, members of health and wellbeing boards, and clinical commissioning groups. All of these individuals/organisations are supported by Public Health England, a new body taking on functions which cannot be organised at a local level, such as the activities of the Health Protection Agency.
The aim of the guidance is to help local authorities to support and encourage the public to take responsibility for their own safety. This includes influencing behavioural change, improving education on accident prevention, making information on accident prevention available and ensuring vulnerable people get the quality of care they need.
The new guidance concentrates on particular accident prone areas including the safety of children at home, adult social care, the elderly and transport. The relationship between injury and deprivation is also targeted.
In Practice…
To reduce the risk of injury, the guidance suggests that safety issues should be identified, then awareness of them be raised. The public should be educated on these issues and on available preventative measures. Partnership working should be implemented to reduce the instance of related injuries.
Examples of accident prevention programmes are noted including those to reduce playground injuries, road injuries and injuries caused by lack of water safety.
In Scotland
The handbook does not apply in Scotland where public health remains the responsibility of the NHS. However, a new Scottish Parliamentary group has been launched to tackle the thousands of unnecessary deaths and serious injuries from accidents in Scotland.
Also encouraged by RoSPA, the new Cross Party Group on Accident Prevention and Safety Awareness has been set up to promote safety awareness and accident prevention, with a view to reducing the number of accidents at home, on the road, in leisure, in schools and colleges, and at work.
The Group is being convened by MSP Clare Adamson and the committee comprises James Dornan MSP (SNP), Alison Johnstone (Green Party), Jim Hume MSP (Liberal Democrats), David Stewart MSP (Labour Party) and Liz Smith MSP (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party). The focus of the Group is local communities rather than specifically Local Authorities, with the aim being to encourage the public to get involved.
