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Essential Compliance Training

Core statutory and mandatory training for all NHS staff

What is Statutory & Mandatory Training?

All NHS staff must complete core training to ensure safe, effective care. This is a legal requirement and must be refreshed annually or as specified. Failure to complete can affect revalidation and employment.

1. Fire Safety

Why it matters: Hospitals are complex with vulnerable patients. Staff must know how to respond to fires safely.

What you'll learn:

  • • Fire triangle: Heat, Fuel, Oxygen - remove one to extinguish
  • • PASS technique: Pull pin, Aim at base, Squeeze, Sweep side to side
  • • RACE protocol: Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Evacuate/Extinguish
  • • Fire exits, assembly points, fire doors (keep closed!)
  • • Different fire extinguishers: Water (red), Foam (cream), CO2 (black), Powder (blue)

Frequency: Annual

2. Safeguarding Children & Adults

Why it matters: NHS staff are often first to spot signs of abuse or neglect.

What you'll learn:

  • • Types of abuse: Physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, financial, institutional
  • • Signs to spot: Unexplained injuries, behaviour changes, fear of certain people, poor hygiene
  • • Vulnerable groups: Children, elderly, people with disabilities, domestic abuse victims
  • • What to do: Report concerns immediately to safeguarding lead, document, never investigate yourself
  • • Prevent duty: Spotting radicalisation risks

Frequency: Level 1 annual, Level 2-3 every 3 years

3. Information Governance & Data Security

Why it matters: Patient data breaches can cause serious harm and legal consequences.

What you'll learn:

  • • Data Protection Act & GDPR: Patient rights, lawful processing, consent
  • • Caldicott Principles: Justify purpose, don't use more than necessary, access on need-to-know basis
  • • Confidentiality: Never discuss patients in public, lock screens, shred documents
  • • Cyber security: Strong passwords, spotting phishing, reporting data breaches within 72 hours
  • • Information sharing: When you can/can't share without consent

Frequency: Annual

4. Infection Prevention & Control (IPC)

Why it matters: Healthcare-associated infections harm patients and cost the NHS billions.

What you'll learn:

  • • Standard precautions: Hand hygiene (before/after patient contact), PPE, sharps safety
  • • 5 moments of hand hygiene: Before patient contact, before aseptic task, after body fluid risk, after patient contact, after contact with surroundings
  • • PPE donning/doffing: Correct order to prevent contamination
  • • Isolation procedures: Contact, droplet, airborne precautions
  • • Aseptic technique: Wound care, catheter insertion, IV access
  • • Antimicrobial stewardship: Right drug, right dose, right duration

Frequency: Annual

5. Basic Life Support (BLS) / Resuscitation

Why it matters: Immediate CPR doubles survival chances from cardiac arrest.

What you'll learn:

  • • DRS ABC: Danger, Response, Shout for help, Airway, Breathing, CPR
  • • CPR: 30 compressions (5-6cm depth, 100-120/min) : 2 rescue breaths
  • • AED use: Attach pads, follow voice prompts, minimise interruptions
  • • Choking: 5 back blows, 5 abdominal thrusts, repeat
  • • Recovery position: Unconscious but breathing
  • • 2222 call: Cardiac arrest team activation

Frequency: Annual (practical session required)

6. Moving & Handling

Why it matters: Musculoskeletal injuries are the most common work-related injury in NHS.

What you'll learn:

  • • Risk assessment: TILE (Task, Individual, Load, Environment)
  • • Neutral spine position, wide base of support, knees bent
  • • Equipment: Hoists, slide sheets, transfer boards, standing aids
  • • Never lift alone if unsafe, always ask for help
  • • Encourage patient independence where possible

Frequency: Annual

7. Equality, Diversity & Human Rights

Why it matters: Fair, respectful treatment is a legal right and improves outcomes.

What you'll learn:

  • • Protected characteristics: Age, disability, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage, pregnancy
  • • Unconscious bias and how to challenge it
  • • Reasonable adjustments for disabled patients/staff
  • • Cultural competence and religious needs
  • • Bullying and harassment - what to do

Frequency: Every 3 years

8. Conflict Resolution & Preventing Violence

Why it matters: NHS staff face 15% of all workplace assaults in UK.

What you'll learn:

  • • De-escalation techniques: calm voice, open body language, active listening
  • • Recognising warning signs: agitation, clenched fists, pacing
  • • Personal safety: exit routes, panic alarms, never corner yourself
  • • Breakaway techniques if grabbed (where applicable)
  • • Reporting incidents and seeking support

Frequency: Annual or every 3 years depending on risk

How to Complete Your Training

  1. Log into your trust's e-learning platform (ESR, LearnPro, etc.)
  2. Check your training compliance dashboard
  3. Complete overdue modules first (red/amber status)
  4. Book practical sessions (BLS, Moving & Handling) via ESR
  5. Print certificates for your portfolio
  6. Set calendar reminders for renewal dates

Important: Failing to complete mandatory training can result in escalation to your manager, restriction of duties, or (in serious cases) affect revalidation for registered professionals.