Handling Service User S Pets

HANDLING SERVICE USER’S PETS

This defines Westminster Homecare’s Policies in relation to Service Users’ pets, the hazards that they may present to both the Service User and Care Staff, and the implications with respect to individual Care Plans:

1. Service Users’ pets can present an infection health hazard both to the Service User and to Care Staff from 2 viewpoints:

1.1 The risks of actual physical injury; e.g. bites, scratches and stings.

1.2 Infection risks from animal excrement.

2. Care Workers will not be expected to exercise dogs or care for pets in any way unless this has been specifically agreed in the original Contract for Care.

3. The Service User will be requested to ensure that potentially dangerous pets are kept locked away in cages, hutches etc and under control when the Care Worker is in the Service User’s home. Where pets are constantly out of control, and / or are deemed to consistently present a real threat to the safety of the Care Worker, then the Organisation may exercise its right to withdraw the Care Service according to Policy No 404.

4. Where agreed care duties include emptying litter trays or cleaning up excrement then the Care Worker MUST wear the disposable protective clothing provided according to Policy No 400.

5. Care Workers will be trained in basic first aid with respect to the simple treatment of bites, stings and scratches. In extreme cases this may require summoning qualified medical assistance.

6. The Service User will be advised through the Home Care Service of the need to ensure regular inoculations for their pets, as appropriate (e.g. “booster jabs”), and of the need to care for their pets to prevent flea infestations and other health problems.

Policy no. 416, Updated: May 2008, Authorised: A Jones Page 1 of 1