Frenchieboy Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Just a quick question for you legal buffs out there. Our housing association is trying to introduce a thing they are calling "A Reliable Nieghbour" who's duties will include general handman jobs and administering first aid to the elderly residents from time to time. Does anyone know what the legal standing is on the idea of someone without any qualifications taking on such an "official role" and what the implications might be if something goes wrong with the repairs that they do (Especially electrical work) or even worse if something happens as a consequence of any first aid they might give (i.e. If they dressed a wound and it went septic or something) bearing in mind that the person has no qualifications or training whatsoever to carry out such duties. Remembering of course that we are now being encouraged to claim compensation for just about anything that happens, is our housing association leaving themselves wide open to legal problems? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 They would be up **** street without a paddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 If it was "first aid" e.g helping during a heard attack, stopping arterial bleeding ect. till professional help arrived i cant see the problem. However if it was yor sole responsibility you would want a certificate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vipa Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 As has already been said... if it is first aid, i.e. a first response scenario, then get in there and do whatever you can, trained or not... the important thing is don't make matters any worse by putting yourself at risk.. that being said, in a situation like that, ANY action is usually better than NO action... what ya gonna do... watch 'em die because you have no formal qualifications!? As for electrical work etc., it is technically illegal now unless you are (i think) part P qualified, and that goes right down to wiring a plug... That change was made to the law a good few years ago now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchieboy Posted May 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Maybe I should stress that it is not me! I would not offer to or even consider standing for such a position as I do not have any qualifications to do so. With regards to the first aid I am thinking more along the lines of if an elderly person has a fall and is moved by someone unqualified and it made any possible fractures worse or if someone cut themselves and an unqualified or untrained person was put in a position where they were encouraged to dress the wound and either did not clean and disenfect it properly and the wound went septic as a consequence! As I said, now that we are all in such a "Claim compensation for anything culture" could there be legal implications if something were to go wrong and who would the claim be against? My concern is not so much for myself but more for the elderly residents in our flats who are close freinds and easily mislead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno 357 Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Maybe I should stress that it is not me! I would not offer to or even consider standing for such a position as I do not have any qualifications to do so. With regards to the first aid I am thinking more along the lines of if an elderly person has a fall and is moved by someone unqualified and it made any possible fractures worse or if someone cut themselves and an unqualified or untrained person was put in a position where they were encouraged to dress the wound and either did not clean and disenfect it properly and the wound went septic as a consequence!As I said, now that we are all in such a "Claim compensation for anything culture" could there be legal implications if something were to go wrong and who would the claim be against? My concern is not so much for myself but more for the elderly residents in our flats who are close freinds and easily mislead! As of 1st aider for 20 years Ive never been told to move someone with a fracture. Pretty simple answer phone the ambulance not rocket science Wounds ! disenfect ? with what ? surgical dressing then hospital again simple answer. 1st aid is common sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artschool Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Is it a paid position? I would say electrical work is a definate no. Even putting up shelves would leave the association open to a claim, what happens if they fell down or the chap who puts them up drills through an electrical cable ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Its a sad fact of life now that unfortunately things like this, designed to help people, are knocked on the head for fear of being sued. St Johns do training and it doesnt cost the earth. I would say that would be a bare minimum requirement. As for handy man jobs, i would be inclined to pay a proper fully insured tradesman, if not you leave yourself wide open. Sounds like a nice idea, just not viable in this day and age Cheers Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 Im guessing that any such person would be more of a "go between" than hands on.I have helped elderly people out locally and sometimes electrical faults are little more than a plug been pulled out or a blown fuse-I also supplied and fitted a door bell for a lady for less than £15 when she had been quoted £76 by a local handyman.In many cases a caretaker type person can decide if a tradesman is required or not rather than paying a call out fee to have a sparky change a fuse.Elderly people, by nature, are vulnerable and I think that the housing people are on the right track with this idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imissalot Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 As has already been said... if it is first aid, i.e. a first response scenario, then get in there and do whatever you can, trained or not... the important thing is don't make matters any worse by putting yourself at risk.. that being said, in a situation like that, ANY action is usually better than NO action... what ya gonna do... watch 'em die because you have no formal qualifications!? As for electrical work etc., it is technically illegal now unless you are (i think) part P qualified, and that goes right down to wiring a plug... That change was made to the law a good few years ago now. you can change a plug you cant tamper with a circuit or add new wires unless you can sign of the work you have done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KFC Posted May 23, 2011 Report Share Posted May 23, 2011 I think this is part of 'The big society' when Cameron announced that he was going to make it possible for tenants to do minor repairs on their council house. In other words, anything to save a few bob. Disater waiting to happen I should say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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