Verdure Psychology Ltd | Public Health and Safety Policy | Version 1.2 | Updated 13 November 2026 | Review: June 2027, or sooner if circumstances change

Verdure Psychology Ltd is committed to providing a safe environment for clients, visitors and practitioners using its office at the Innovation Centre, Innovation Way, Heslington, York. This policy summarises the responsibilities and safety arrangements relevant to the company’s activities.

Responsibilities and coordination

Dr Richard Jenkinson, Director, is responsible for Verdure Psychology Ltd’s health and safety arrangements relating to its use of the office. York Science Park and the landlord are responsible for building-wide arrangements within their control, including communal areas, emergency systems and building maintenance. The company cooperates with the landlord where responsibilities overlap.

Independent associates, including Lorna Hunter and Helen Williams, use the office under independent-practitioner arrangements; they are not employees. They are responsible for the clinical management and safety of their own appointments, maintaining relevant professional qualifications and insurance, and following shared-premises health and safety procedures. Verdure retains responsibility for risks associated with the premises and activities within its own control.

Risk prevention and safe working

Risks are considered in relation to the office environment, electrical equipment, slips and trips, client distress, physical or medical emergencies, privacy, lone working and out-of-hours appointments. Practitioners are expected to keep exits clear, take reasonable care of themselves and others, and report hazards, accidents and near misses appropriately.

Electrical equipment is maintained in a safe condition through visual checks and risk-based inspection or testing. York Science Park’s tenant rules prohibit convector heaters in the applicable office areas and allow only university-approved oil-filled radiators. Its rules on electrical equipment and appliances are followed.

First aid and emergencies

York Science Park’s tenant information identifies basic first-aid kits, Public Access Trauma First Aid Kits and a defibrillator at Innovation Centre reception. Tenant organisations remain responsible for first-aid provision appropriate to their own activities; the presence of building facilities does not make reception staff an on-call first-aid service for Verdure. The practice’s first-aid arrangements take account of the consulting environment and out-of-hours working.

For serious illness, injury or immediate danger, call 999. York Teaching Hospital is at Wigginton Road, York YO31 8HE. In non-emergency building-security matters, follow the landlord’s procedures or contact University Security on 01904 324444.

Fire safety and evacuation

Practitioners and visitors should follow the building’s current Fire Action Notice and evacuation instructions. If the fire alarm sounds, leave promptly by an available safe route, without collecting belongings. Practitioners should consider individual accessibility and evacuation needs in advance of face-to-face appointments and coordinate appropriate arrangements with the building management where needed.

Lone working and out-of-hours appointments

For approved out-of-hours work, practitioners follow York Science Park’s access, lock-up and alarm arrangements and use a suitable check-in/check-out process with a nominated person. Clinical appointments should not be conducted alone where risks make lone working inappropriate. If a situation becomes unsafe, practitioners should leave and obtain suitable assistance.

Training, reporting and review

Practitioners using the office receive relevant information on local safety procedures, including emergency arrangements, access, lone working and reporting concerns. Accidents, hazards and incidents are recorded and escalated where appropriate, including to York Science Park, emergency services or the enforcing authority when relevant. The company’s arrangements are reviewed following significant changes, incidents or updated landlord requirements, and at least annually.

For the company’s associated fire and lone-working information, see the Fire Safety, Evacuation and Lone Working page. For safeguarding, see the Safeguarding Policy.