NHS staff attacks in the North East go unpunished

Jan 19 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

LESS than 1% of violent attacks against NHS staff in the North East end in any criminal prosecution.

Official statistics released last night reveal assaults on NHS workers in the region have fallen in the last year.

But despite the improving picture, only 26 out of nearly 3,000 reported attacks ended in any criminal sanctions. This included anything from a caution to a jail sentence.

Healthcare bosses last night said they were unable to explain why there has been a low level of criminal sanctions brought. But they stressed it was important all incidents of assault were reported, no matter how big or small.

Figures from the NHS Security Management Service show there were 2,843 assaults on staff in 2008/09, down from 3,445 in 2007/08.

The decrease is being put down to measures put in place to help combat the danger, including a device that enables staff to request police assistance, monitor and record incidents where they feel their safety is threatened.

The device is designed to support staff working alone who are unable to call on immediate support from colleagues if their safety is at risk. It gives staff confidence that they can alert a 24/7 manned alarm centre, which will call emergency services.

David Stout, acting chief executive of North East Strategic Health Authority, said: “Violence against NHS staff is clearly unacceptable and whilst it is encouraging to see a fall in the number of assaults reported over the past year across NHS North East, this is a matter which we take very seriously.

“It is important that staff working across the NHS in the region continue to report all physical or verbal assaults, big or small, so that we can learn from every occurrence and work to help prevent future incidents.

“Whilst we would never underestimate the seriousness of assaults against NHS staff, it is also important to note that many reported assaults, particularly those linked with mental health – where challenging behaviour is often a symptom of illness – are non-intentional.”

Ian Frame, executive director of personnel and development at South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Violence against NHS staff is unacceptable. South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust has a zero tolerance towards violence and aggression and strives towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff, patients, visitors and other service users.

“The Trust has a responsibility to protect its staff from incidents of violence, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse.

“Our staff can now use devices to monitor and record incidents where they feel their safety is threatened. Evidence, including audio recordings, obtained through these devices may be used in criminal and civil proceedings and/or to take local sanctions against alleged offenders.”

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has seen the biggest fall in attacks against NHS staff, with 179 reported in 2008/09, compared to 305 in 2007/08.

A spokesperson for Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said: “While we are encouraged to see a reduction in the number of incidents of violence against our employees reported, we are not complacent and are continuously working hard to further reduce the number.

“We are also encouraged that the initiatives we have put in place over the last few years are having an impact.”

Page 2: The 'patient' who punched me in the face