16.03.16
NHS Protect to stop providing direct crime prevention support to trusts
The body fighting crime at NHS hospitals will be downgraded in 2016-17 so that it no longer provides trusts with direct support, a leaked memo says.
The NHS Protect circular says that a review of NHS Protect, conducted since November 2014, says that NHS Protect has successfully provided local NHS boards with anti-crime training and support and should no longer provide these services.
The review says that the primary responsibility for anti-crime work remains with the boards of local NHS organisations and that NHS Protect should provide centralised capacity and monitoring for anti-crime work.
The circular concludes: “In 2016-17 NHS Protect will undergo a transition, and it is anticipated that it will move to an operating model that no longer includes the direct provision of support services, so it can deliver its agreed new remit and strategic direction.”
NHS Protect said they couldn’t comment because the circular is part of an ongoing consultation.
NHS Protect’s support work includes providing guidance to protect staff from challenging patient behaviour and entering into a partnership with the General Pharmaceutical Council to tackle pharmacy fraud.
(Image c. Andy Smith)