Should it be up to the service user and their family to highlight changes that potentially affect their manual handling care plan? Or should the organisation that recommended the lifting equipment have a review system?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear E, thank you for your question. Assuming that your service is in someone’s home it is important that your staff raise any concerns about manual handling to whoever carries out risk assessments and care plans within your service. If family or the service raises concerns, this must be reported. As a provider, you have a responsibility to update the care plan and any risk assessments . It is important however to include the service user and their family in this process so their views can be reflected and the care plan is person-centred. The guidance under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: Regulation 9 should help clarify this further for you