Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors Duties in the NHS

1
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• Julian Topping
• Head of Workplace Health
• NHS Employers

2
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• Background
• Patchy involvement by Directors in Health and
  Safety
• Lack of awareness of duties in relation to
  accidents/incidents
• Recent high profile cases
• Press coverage

3
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• Background
• Concerns about level of accountability
• Concerns over recognition of the way NHS worked
• Patchy implementation of general health and
  safety legislation but improving

4
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• NHS Employers response
• Briefing for Directors
• Sent individually to ALL Directors of NHS Trusts
  in England
• Includes
• Background
• Key Points
• Summary of Act and QA

5
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• NHS Employers response
• Conference session at NHS Employers Annual
  Conference
• Legal briefing
• Trust briefing
• Links to new health and safety legislation

6
Corporate Manslaughter and Voluntary Directors
Dutiesin the NHS

• NHS Reaction
• Shock
• Concern
• Could I go to prison?
• Where do I get a copy of
• Leading health and safety at work leadership
  actions for directors and board members?