I WAS CLOSE TO DYING; Man tells of pneumonia ordeal after being diagnosed with swine flu: STAFF FACING DRUGS TESTS.Byline: CHRIS HOLE RECOVERING: Caspar A YOUNG and fit Teessider says he was close to dying after being misdiagnosed with swine flu swine flu n. A highly contagious form of human influenza caused by a filterable virus identical or related to a virus formerly isolated from infected swine. over the phone. Caspar Scallen, 20, was diagnosed with the illness on the NHS NHS abbr. National Health Service NHS (in Britain) National Health Service Pandemic pandemic /pan·dem·ic/ (pan-dem´ik) 1. a widespread epidemic of a disease. 2. widely epidemic. pan·dem·ic adj. Epidemic over a wide geographic area. n. Flu Service phone line. associated with misuse. It applies to all council employees from the chief executive down. But the authority also expects agency and casual workers, contractors and volunteers to comply with it. Unions are being urged to support the scheme, but have already expressed concerns over proposals which would ban employees consuming alcohol at all during working hours. This could have implications on everything from a lunchtime visit to the pub to Christmas and birthday drinks, VIP events and even special events like the Stockton International Riverside Festival. The Cabinet was told a substance misuse policy was not an area which had been "tried and tested" within local authorities, and evidence for its introduction was "not therefore readily available". Julia Spittle spit·tle n. Spit; saliva. , head of HR at the Council, told the meeting: "It could be quite costly if we get it wrong, as well as being quite controversial amongst employees. " The Cabinet approved the policy, but followed officers' recommendations to defer de·fer 1 v. de·ferred, de·fer·ring, de·fers v.tr. 1. To put off; postpone. 2. To postpone the induction of (one eligible for the military draft). v.intr. any decision on the testing of employees, until they have assessed the results of a six-month trial drug and alcohol testing scheme for taxi drivers taxi driver n → taxista m/f taxi driver taxi n → chauffeur m de taxi taxi driver taxi n → , which is expected to begin shortly. In her report to Cabinet, Julia Spittle said: "For employees, the introduction of testing will need to be agreed with the trade unions and incorporated into a specific policy showing clearly the benefits to be gained and the financial implications associated with this approach." Discussing the need for a substance misuse policy she wrote: "The increasingly widespread availability of alcohol and illegal drugs can lead to experimental, recreational and dependant use which in turn may affect an individual's ability to do their job effectively. "Even if substances are taken only at the weekend, the after-effects can last well into the working week. "The inappropriate use of substances can damage the health and well-being of employees and have far reaching effects on their personal and working lives. "At work, substance misuse can result in reduced levels of attendance, sub-standard work performance and increased health and safety risks, not only for the individual concerned but also for others, for example work colleagues, members of the public, contractors and service users. "Furthermore, the effects of substance misuse could be detrimental det·ri·men·tal adj. Causing damage or harm; injurious. det  ri·men to the council's reputation, image and its ability to
deliver high quality services." Substance misuse is described in
the report as "using a substance inappropriately or to excess, so
it negatively affects the way the user feels or acts and/or has a
detrimental effect on the user's health and well-being". It
includes alcohol, illegal or legal drugs, prescription medicines such as
tranquillisers and anti-depressants, over the counter medicines and
other substances such as solvents, glue glue: see adhesive. glue Adhesive substance resembling gelatin, extracted from animal tissue, particularly hides and bones, or from fish, casein (milk protein), or vegetables. and lighter fuel. Employees who suspect or know they have a substance misuse problem will be encouraged to seek help voluntarily, with assistance from the council. Disciplinary action will "in all cases be proportionate pro·por·tion·ate adj. Being in due proportion; proportional. tr.v. pro·por·tion·at·ed, pro·por·tion·at·ing, pro·por·tion·ates To make proportionate. to the circumstances of the breach of the policy or misconduct MISCONDUCT. Unlawful behaviour by a person entrusted in any degree: with the administration of justice, by which the rights of the parties and the justice of the, case may have been affected. 2. ", the report states. It adds there may be circumstances where the council is obliged o·blige v. o·bliged, o·blig·ing, o·blig·es v.tr. 1. To constrain by physical, legal, social, or moral means. 2. to inform police of illegal drug use. Councillor Ann McCoy, Cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "It's sad we have to have a policy, but in a way I'm glad we have." Ken Lupton, leader of the council agreed, adding: "I'm sure members will follow the same code of practice." CAPTION(S): Caspar Scallen, pictured with girlfriend Kim Dale, is back at home after being treated in hospital Picture by PETER REIMANN BACKING: Council leader Ken Lupton believes staff will follow the code of practice |
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