The numbers of NHS staff physically assaulted in England are down while prosecutions are rising, according to the latest statistics produced by the NHS Security Management Service

Speaking at the first National health service (NHS) Security Management Professionals’ Conference, health minister Rosie Winterton reported a significant reduction in the number of NHS staff physically assaulted in English hospitals. The statistics collated by the NHS’ own Security Management Service (SMS) – show a drop of 1,690 assaults on the previous 12 months. In addition, the number of individuals prosecuted for assaulting NHS staff in England also increased by 12% on 2005, rising from 759 to 850.

According to the NHS SMS figures, there were 1,104 assaults on ambulance staff (down by 229), 11,100 assaults against staff from acute and foundation hospitals (representing 342 more cases than in 2005), 5,145 attacks on workers at primary care trusts (down by 47) and 41,345 assaults on staff in mental health and learning disabilities institutions (representing 1,752 fewer attacks than occurred in the prior year).

Speaking about the statistics, Winterton commented: “It is totally unacceptable that NHS staff should have to face violent and aggressive behaviour during the course of their work. Thankfully, these numbers show that the tide is turning. However, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. That is why we are proposing to make anti-social and nuisance behaviour on NHS premises a criminal offence.”

Fines of up to £1,000 are now a possibility.

Richard Hampton pictured, head of the NHS SMS – told SMT: “These statistics show that the very hard work that has been undertaken these past three years is beginning to bear fruit, and make patients and staff feel safer. Since the NHS SMS was created in 2003, there have been fewer physical assaults on staff, a 16-fold increase in the number of prosecutions and a greater awareness among NHS employees that serious action is being taken to protect their welfare.”

The NHS SMS began a national syllabus for conflict resolution training for all 750,000 frontline NHS staff back in April 2004. Figures show that, as of March this year, 250,000 staff had been trained.

Source

SMT