Royal invitation for Barchester's award-winning Health and Safety Team

Barchester's Health and Safety Team were invited to Buckingham Palace after receiving a prestigious award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for their contribution to occupational health and safety in the healthcare sector.

Having previously won two RoSPA ‘Gold’ awards, this year Barchester entered into the competitive ‘Healthcare Provider’ category, open to hospitals, university trusts and care home providers, and received the highly prized ‘Healthcare Services Award: Commended’, a Major National Sector Award.

The annual RoSPA awards promote the importance of occupational Health and Safety and acknowledge organisations that excel in this area. 2017 is their centenary year.

As ‘Commended’ award winners, members of the Health & Safety Team were invited to the RoSPA’s centenary celebration hosted by Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace on the 25^th May 2017.

The royal celebration was attended by Paul Mason, Director of Health and Safety, and Andy Hollingshead, Health and Safety Manager.

Paul Mason, Director of Health and Safety at Barchester said: “We are delighted to have received such a prestigious award, in recognition for maintaining the highest level of health and safety management throughout Barchester homes and hospitals. Winning this is testimony to the commitment shown by all staff employed by the group and the importance and focus placed on health and safety by Barchester’s Executive management team.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards are the most prestigious in the world of occupational health and safety, and held in high regard around the world, as winning one demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record. Achieving the standard required is no mean feat.

“This is a special year in the history of RoSPA, and we congratulate all of our winners in this, our centenary year.”

Dr Pete Calveley, CEO at Barchester Healthcare said: “The safety of our residents, patients and staff is always our first consideration and so we are especially proud that our work in this area is recognised by RoSPA.  This outcome could not have been achieved without the support of our brilliant managers and staff, including our health and safety champions, and without the guidance of Paul Mason and his dedicated team Lisa Harris, Andy Hollingshead and Fiona Torrie.”

The award will be presented during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole hotel on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.