stopImportant information for all staff press 23 June 2021 Fire Safety Relaunch of ‘Walk Through Talk Through’ programme

The purpose of this stop press is to update you on the relaunch of the ‘Walk Through Talk Through’ programme within inpatient ward areas. It will help you understand who, when, and how it affects you.

How does this affect you? When? Fire represents a very significant risk in The programme will re-launch from healthcare settings. In order to keep NHS July 2021 and Fire Safety Advisors will Ayrshire & Arran staff and estate users safe, liaise with inpatient ward Senior Charge it is vital to complete ‘Walk Through Talk Nurses to arrange WTTT training, which Through’ (WTTT) so that you are aware of will be undertaken on an annual rolling your responsibilities and know exactly what programme. action to take in the event of a fire. Why? Who does this affect? Unlike community premises, such as health All inpatient ward staff should complete the centres and clinics where regular fire drills programme. are carried out, it is not practical to carry out Our purpose live fire evacuation drills in ward areas. So it

Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran is vital that all ward staff know what actions What will be covered? to take in the event of a fire and have clearly • Evacuation route defined and documented procedures in Based on progressive horizontal place. evacuation, as well as vertical evacuation where appropriate Fire action plans are a core element of our fire safety strategy. General fire action • Emergency procedure procedures are covered in annual fire safety Role and responsibilities training and these are adequate in many • Staff awareness cases. However, some areas need much Fire alarm procedures, fire points and more elaborate defined safety measures types of extinguishers, fire hazard because of the nature of the risk posed by awareness fire. These high risk area include inpatient wards, where the number of patients and The WTTT programme is in addition to the their potential vulnerability need special quarterly PN17 inspection of workplace consideration. health and safety programme, which Additionally, NHS Ayrshire & Arran is must be completed as part of the PN17 required to fulfil its statutory obligations set process and will be checked and verified out in the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the by Fire Safety Advisors during the WTTT Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. We programme. need to address the nature and scale of the risk of fire and have policies and procedures Contact us in place to help minimise the effects of any Fire Safety Advisors will be in touch to possible fire outbreak. arrange suitable WTTT training dates. For more information or to discuss this or any Which locations are included? other fire safety matter, please contact the Inpatient areas at team:

• David Cowley, Senior Fire Safety Advisor 01563 826209 • University Hospital Crosshouse/Ayrshire [email protected] Maternity Unit • Ayrshire Central Hospital/ John McGarvey, Area Fire Safety Advisor 01563 827466 • [email protected] • Community Hospital Martin Rowe, Area Fire Safety Advisor • Girvan Hospital 01292 616461 • [email protected] • Arran War Memorial Hospital • Lady Margaret Hospital

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