Page 1 of 10 Assistance Dogs and Pat Dogs Procedure
Policy Title: Executive Summary: Procedure on assistance dogs and pat dogs This procedure provides guidance to Trust staff about how to assist patients or visitors to the hospital who have an assistance dog or volunteers bringing pat dogs into hospital. Supersedes: Assistance Dogs and Pat Dogs Procedure 2013-2016 Description of Revised and Updated October 2016 Amendment(s): This procedure will impact on: All Trust staff. Financial Implications: There are no financial implications involved. Procedure Area: Trust wide Document Reference: Version Number: 1.0 Effective Date: December 2016 Issued By: Author: Consultation: Approved by Director: Received for information: Director of Corporate Affairs & Governance Lyn Bailey, Equality & Patient Experience Manager Committees / Group Age UK Cheshire East Guide Dogs Association Disability Information Bureau Infection Prevention & Control Team Voluntary Services ECT Macclesfield Eye Society Matrons Trust Disability Equality Group Review Date: December 2019 Impact Assessment Date: APPROVAL RECORD Director of Corporate Affairs & Governance Date October 2016 October 2016 December 2016 Corporate Governance Managers March 2017 Page 2 of 10
SECTION CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 Procedure Statement 4 2.0 Roles and Responsibilities 4 3.0 Implementation 4-5 4.0 Measuring Performance 6 5.0 Audit 6 6.0 Review 6 Appendix 1 Equality & Human Rights Impact Assessment 7 Page 3 of 10
1.0 Procedure Statement This procedure aims to ensure that all people who need access with assistance dogs such as guide dogs or hearing dogs are welcomed to the Trust and that staff have a clear understanding of the requirements for such dogs entering the premises and the areas where they are allowed. It also aims to clarify the requirements for pat dogs visiting the Trust with their owners. 2.0 Roles and Responsibilities 2.1 Senior Sisters/Departmental Managers It is the responsibility of each senior sister/departmental manager to ensure that: all staff are aware of this procedure all staff are aware of the requirements for dogs being allowed into clinical areas all staff are aware of the arrangements for dogs entering their particular area. Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas, apart from theatres, recovery, ICU/HDU (Intensive care/high dependency unit), SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) and Maternity. The Renal Unit is operated by FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE (UK) LTD and their policy is to allow assistance dogs into the Unit providing the dog is handled purely by the owner and does not roam about. A side room would be used and cleaned after use. 2.2 Voluntary Services It is the responsibility of the Voluntary Services Manager (VSM) to ensure that all pat dogs entering the premises do so on prearranged sessions with the wards/departments and that the requirements for the dogs are up to date. The VSM may be contacted on Ext 1974 to confirm any details required. 3.0 Implementation This procedure will be ratified by the Director of Corporate Affairs and Governance. The procedure will be cascaded in line with policy governance arrangements. 3.1 Pat Dog Schemes Research has shown that pets can often enhance the quality of life for older people and people who are ill and therefore the Trust has pat dog schemes in operation in the Trust. Access is as in 2.1. Dogs on these schemes must: be house-trained be up to date with all vaccinations Page 4 of 10
be free from infestation and have had no recent illness have their claws kept trimmed to reduce the risk of scratches have veterinary records and their owners must be able to produce these at any time along with their owners, have insurance liability be kept under control while visiting. Patients and staff must wash their hands well after contact. Staff must follow the Trust hand hygiene policy and this forms part of mandatory infection control training. 3.2 Bringing dogs into hospital to visit their owners It is recognised that occasionally it is of benefit for certain patients to be visited by their pet dog. People with dogs requiring access to wards should liaise with the nurse in charge. The nurse in charge can seek advice from infection prevention and control if they are unsure about admitting a dog to an area in the Trust. If this is the case: The visit should be arranged with a member of staff If at all possible, depending on the patient s condition, the dog and the patient should meet outside the ward The dog should be controlled on a lead at all times, should go directly to the patient it is visiting and leave directly after the visit The person bringing the dog should be advised that they are responsible for the behaviour of the dog during the visit, including any fouling that the dog might make. 3.3 All Dogs The nurse in charge of the ward is responsible for ensuring that: Staff are made aware of the need for assistance dogs to accompany their owner People who need assistance dogs are made welcome and are treated with courtesy The needs of other patients are taken into account i.e. patients with allergies or frightened of dogs (rather than refuse entry, it may be necessary to arrange a visit by the dog to another area of the ward) Visiting dogs are kept under control All dogs are wearing their designated harnesses or lead slip, which makes them easily identifiable as a working dog If water is required for the dog it must be provided in a single use container. Page 5 of 10
4.0 Measuring Performance The Voluntary Services Manager will ensure the records of all pat dogs on the scheme are reviewed annually or when new dogs are accepted onto the scheme. The Voluntary Services Manager will review the risk assessment on this procedure on an annual basis. The Voluntary Services Manager will ensure liaison takes place with ward staff in areas where pat dogs visit to ensure there are no problems with the system on a 6 monthly basis. 5.0 Audit The Patient Experience Department will review users views with members of Macclesfield Eye Society, the Guide Dogs Society, Macclesfield Deaf Club and the Disability Information Bureau to ensure that the procedure is working for users. This will take place on an annual basis. Spot checks of staff knowledge in wards and departments will also be undertaken and reported to the Trust Disability Equality Group. 6.0 Review The procedure will be reviewed on a three yearly basis (or earlier if circumstances change) by the Equality and Patient Experience Manager, the Infection Control Prevention Team and the Voluntary Services Manager. Page 6 of 10
Equality Analysis (Impact assessment) Please START this assessment BEFORE writing your policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service so that you can identify any adverse impacts and include action to mitigate these in your finished policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service. Use it to help you develop fair and equal services. Eg. If there is an impact on Deaf people, then include in the policy how Deaf people will have equal access. 1. What is being assessed? Assistance dogs and pat dogs procedure Details of person responsible for completing the assessment: Name: Lyn Bailey Position: Equality and Patient Experience Manager Team/service: Patient Experience Department State main purpose or aim of the policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service: (usually the first paragraph of what you are writing. Also include details of legislation, guidance, regulations etc which have shaped or informed the document) This procedure aims to ensure that all people who need access with assistance dogs such as guide dogs or hearing dogs are welcomed to the Trust and that staff have a clear understanding of the requirements for such dogs entering the premises and the areas where they are allowed. It also aims to clarify the requirements for pat dogs visiting the Trust with their owners. 2. Consideration of Data and Research Age: 17.8% (30,500) of the population in Cheshire East is over 65 compared with 15.9% nationally. This results in a high old age dependency ratio, i.e. low numbers of workingage people supporting a high non-working dependant older population. The percentage of older or frail old is also considerably higher, with 2.3% (8,200) persons 85 and over compared to 2.1% nationally. Cheshire East has the fastest growing older population in the North West. By 2016, the population aged 65+ will increase by 29.0% (8,845) and the population aged 85+ by 41.5% (3,403). This will have an impact on the number of patients being managed by ECT and the complexity of the health and social care issues that the older person is experiencing. In addition the staffing profile of ECT will change to include an increasing number of staff over 65 in the workforce. Page 7 of 10
Disability: There are over 10 million disabled people in Britain, of whom 5 million are over state pension age. Nearly 1 in 5 people of working age (7 million, or 18.6%) in Great Britain have a disability. Hearing loss: 1 in 4 has a hearing problem. Sight problems: There are 2 million people with sight problems in the UK. 2.2 Evidence of complaints on grounds of discrimination: (Are there any complaints or concerns raised either from patients or staff (grievance) relating to the policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service or its effects on different groups?) No 2.3 Does the information gathered from 2.1 2.3 indicate any negative impact as a result of this document? No 3. Assessment of Impact Now that you have looked at the purpose, etc. of the policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service (part 1) and looked at the data and research you have (part 2), this section asks you to assess the impact of the policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service on each of the strands listed below. RACE: service affect, or have the potential to affect, racial groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: No adverse impacts identified due to race. If a patient or carer s first language was not English, then staff would follow the Trust interpretation and translation procedure to explain the policy. Universally recognised symbols on entrances to premises denote welcome to assistance dogs. GENDER (INCLUDING TRANSGENDER): service affect, or have the potential to affect, different gender groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: No adverse impacts on account of gender. DISABILITY service affect, or have the potential to affect, disabled people differently? Page 8 of 10
Yes No Explain your response: There is a potential for discrimination if staff are not fully aware of the content of this procedure and inadvertently deny admission to a person with an assistance dog. AGE: service, affect, or have the potential to affect, age groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: The procedure applies to patients, carers and visitors of all ages. LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL: service affect, or have the potential to affect, lesbian, gay or bisexual groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: All would be treated equally regardless of sexual orientation and the need for an assistance dog. Specialised training in LGBT issues is available. RELIGION/BELIEF: service affect, or have the potential to affect, religious belief groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: Although many cultures favour dogs and some, Hindu revere them, in some Muslim faiths there is a feeling that dogs are unclean. It is as well to be aware of the different patient groups in a hospital area and make arrangements for dogs to visit accordingly. CARERS: service affect, or have the potential to affect, carers differently? Yes No Explain your response: There may well be occasion when a carer visits bringing an assistance dog. Staff should be aware of the procedure and its requirements. OTHER: EG Pregnant women, people in civil partnerships, human rights issues. service affect, or have the potential to affect any other groups differently? Yes No Explain your response: No other impacts identified. Page 9 of 10
4. Safeguarding Assessment - CHILDREN a. Is there a direct or indirect impact upon children? Yes No b. If yes please describe the nature and level of the impact (consideration to be given to all children; children in a specific group or area, or individual children. As well as consideration of impact now or in the future; competing / conflicting impact between different groups of children and young people: c. If no please describe why there is considered to be no impact / significant impact on children procedure applies the same as for adults all staff need to be aware of content. 5. Relevant consultation Having identified key groups, how have you consulted with them to find out their views and that they made sure that the policy, procedure, proposal, strategy or service will affect them in the way that you intend? Have you spoken to staff groups, charities, national organisations etc? Age UK Cheshire East Guide Dogs Association Disability Information Bureau Infection Prevention & Control Team Voluntary Services ECT Macclesfield Eye Society Matrons Trust Disability Equality Group 6. Date completed: October 2016 Review Date: October 2019 7. Any actions identified: Have you identified any work which you will need to do in the future to ensure that the document has no adverse impact? Action Lead Date to be Achieved 8. Approval At this point, you should forward the template to the Trust Equality and Diversity Lead lynbailey@nhs.net Approved by Trust Equality and Diversity Lead: Date: 25 October 2016 Page 10 of 10