Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet recognises the lead role of its Public Health and Health and Safety teams in the county’s COVID-19 pandemic response
At today’s Cumbria County Council Cabinet meeting, elected members gave thanks to the efforts of the County Council workforce and partners across Cumbria for helping to keep people healthy and as safe as possible.
Councillors considered the 2021/2022 Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report, which outlines how the Council has worked in partnership with colleagues from Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, the third sector, district councils and the NHS to take a lead role in health and safety activity in the last year, including leadership of key elements of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Alongside managing all risks across key services delivered by the Council, elected members were especially keen to recognise the significant efforts made to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting heard how County Council colleagues, such as the public health, corporate health and safety team, service centre, property, service-based managers, front line staff and trade union representatives have worked together and with partners to deliver a range of important infection prevention and control, health, safety and wellbeing initiatives. These have included:
- Establishing the first local COVID-19 contact tracing service in the country.
- Lateral Flow Test service for both employees and the community as part of the national testing strategy.
- A dedicated Personal Protective Equipment service to ensure all front-line staff have the necessary equipment to keep them and others safe.
- Risk assessments and control measures to minimise the risk and spread of Covid-19 and other risks.
Councillor Celia Tibble - Cabinet Member for Environment (including Health and Safety) said:
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to the many employees and partners that do everything possible to keep people safe across all areas of our vast County. This is and will remain a key priority for the Council, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“All through the pandemic our teams have supported schools, academies and care services, both in the public sector and in the private sector, with a variety of risk assessments and adjustments to enable them to continue to provide services
“The work that our teams do is of great importance to the safety, health and wellbeing of the people of Cumbria and is greatly appreciated by colleagues and the community.”
Councillor Deborah Earl - Cabinet Member for Public Health and Community Services said:
“The Council remains committed to delivering a first-class public health service and this Annual Health, Safety and Wellbeing Report is important to bring to life the work that goes on behind the scenes where many teams and partners work tirelessly to protect as many people as possible in very challenging circumstances every day.
“I am immensely proud to acknowledge the dedication and professionalism of so many colleagues across many teams to provide public health advice, take a partnership approach, run a track and trace service and provide support and advice to schools and care homes. It has been impressive to see and I have no doubt has contributed positively to minimise the impact of Covid and wider risks in the workplace. Thank you for your hard work.”
