General Risks
Every physiotherapy practice is essentially a ‘small business’ and must therefore consider how to reduce the risks arising from the public and from their premises.
With all practices equally responsible for the safety of those entering there are a number of basic precautions worth noting.
Firstly as an occupier of a premises there is a duty of care owed to all those who enter. A Duty of care that incorporates “foreseeable risk” - it is noticeable that court decisions have applied an increasingly liberal interpretation to a chain of events that might at first glance appear quite unrelated and unpredictable. The business risks arising from this area of practice can be grouped into three broad zones, as listed below:
Access. If you operate a practice with access to a car park, it is essential that thespace is maintained: lines of sight should be clear, parking bays marked, potholes filled and shrubs and branches trimmed. Paths should be clear and level, and lighting should be adequate, especially at dusk or at night.
Amenity. The amenity the practice provides should be maintained to industry standard and must be considered safe. Floor surfaces should be even, mats of good quality and non-slip, and bathroom floors should be dry at all times. Expanses of glass should be highlighted appropriately.
Fixtures and fittings. A typical practice will see a large volume of patients throughout the year, and each patient will respond differently to the environment provided by you. Designing that environment with this in mind is the key to reducing the risk of claims for breach of duty of care. A television might be appropriate for the waiting room, but it should be securely mounted. Reception chairs need to be maintained - there have been a number of claims where a chair has collapsed injuring the person waiting for treatment.
In summary, your practice is obliged to manage its public liability exposure. This can include basic steps like conducting regular property inspections, and holding staff meetings on items regarded as a potential source of danger to the public and to patients.
