30.11.12
Increase in NHS staff assaults
Assaults against NHS staff have risen in the past year, new figures show.
NHS Protect has published statistics showing that assaults on NHS staff involving medical factors, where the assailant may not be considered legally culpable for their actions, have risen by 16.3%.
In total, the number of assaults has risen by 3.3%, from 57,830 in 2010/11 to 59,744 in 2011/12.
Health bodies should review their existing care models and delivery of care, NHS Protect recommends. The new report also suggests health bodies should work with ACPO and the Crown Prosecution Service to identify criminal assaults, seek advice from NHS Protect’s Area Security Management Specialists (ASMSs) and ensure staff are trained to respond decisively to low-level nuisance behaviour.
Richard Hampton, head of local support and development services at NHS Protect, said: “There is never any room for complacency when it comes to violence in the NHS. NHS Protect will continue to work closely with its partners to identify why assaults happen, provide practical tools to address threats and promote the prosecution of offenders wherever appropriate.
“We will be examining why we have seen this rise in assaults involving medical factors. It is important that good practice continues to be shared, to even out differences between trusts and focus on best practice in this area. For an injured member of staff, the question of whether an assault is medically caused may seem irrelevant, and they rightly expect to receive the best possible protection against such incidents.
“Staff committed to providing our NHS should never be expected to suffer an assault at work and it will not be tolerated. NHS Protect urges employers to take firm action in all cases of assault against NHS staff.”
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive & general secretary of the RCN said: “The fact that assaults are increasing is a matter of grave concern for the RCN. Of course, there are some instances where assaults or aggressive behaviour are related to a clinical condition, but employers must do more to prevent them.
“We are particularly concerned that this increase could be due to increasing waiting times, reduced staffing levels and a growing level of frustration at the NHS struggles to cope. Our message to employers is clear: there are measures you can take to protect your staff, and they must be taken in order to reduce the individual suffering and the time off work which these assaults can bring.”
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