This protocol applies to all Newcross Healthcare staff working waking night shifts and is to be read and signed by staff to confirm their acceptance of the responsibilities prior to attending their first waking night shift.
Newcross clients, both Complex Care and Establishment, book staff to work waking nights to support vulnerable Service Users, often on a one to one basis.
It is essential that you, as a waking night worker, understand your responsibilities and are alert throughout the entirety of the shift.
Why it is important
Should a waking night worker fall asleep on shift, there are some very serious risks and possible consequences.
Firstly, there is the very worrying risk that a Service User could deteriorate or they could have an unobserved accident. Should a waking night worker fall asleep there is a concern that lack of care and observation could
result in injury and in more serious cases, death.
Newcross take all allegations of staff sleeping on duty seriously and claims of this nature will be subject to a full investigation which could result in dismissal for gross misconduct.
Duty to report
Due to the serious risks outlined above, there is also an additional expectation on all waking night workers to report any concerns they may have regarding other staff working with them who they observe/witness asleep on
duty. This applies to both Newcross staff as well as staff working for another provider/employer.
Should there be any questions or queries about this protocol, please contact your Business Centre Manager or for out of hours support contact the Central Services team.
If you feel you need to report an incident confidentially, please call the HR team.
DECLARATION
By signing the below I can confirm that I have fully read and understand the Waking Nights Protocol and confirm that I fully understand my responsibilities whilst working on waking night shifts.