Cancer hospice failed to carry out legal checks on employees

Political Reporter

Tuesday 23 October 2012

A CANCER hospice has been found to be employing staff without the proper legal checks being in place.

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STEWART PATERSON

Marie Curie Hospice in Glasgow could have been closed to admitting patients after it was discovered several staff had no Disclosure Scotland checks.

The hospice in Balornock in the north of the city, given a Very Good rating for the quality of care, has been given time to ensure clinical staff are checked under the new Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme providing the workers sign a declaration about criminal convictions, which allows it to continue in operation.

The Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) inspections found around 30 staff were required to have the new PVG check. Staff awaiting the new check must have a current Disclosure Scotland check, but it was discovered many did not hold the correct status.Only five staff a month can be put forward for the new status and it was noted that if all those affected were removed from the hospice it would be unable to operate fully.HIS officials have decided to allow the hospice to provide a risk assessment of how they will ensure the safety of patients at the hospice, which will allow it to continue to accept admissions and provide care for current patients.Ian Smith, acting chief inspector, said: "Overall we found people who use the service are complimentary about the care they receive. "However, we have identified some areas for improvement, including that significant numbers of clinical staff have been employed without relevant checks being carried out."A spokeswoman for Marie Curie Cancer Care said: "The staff referred to began work in the hospice prior to the introduction of Criminal Records Bureau checks."At the time of the introduction of CRB there was no requirement to retrospectively check staff already employed or to do regular update checks."

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Health

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Cancer hospice failed to carry out legal checks on employees

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