RCN Responds To Healthcare Commission Report On Violence In Mental Health Units, UK

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Also Included In: Mental Health
Article Date: 19 Feb 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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Dr. Peter Carter, General Secretary & Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said:

"These levels of violence are deeply serious and unacceptable, whatever the area of care. The RCN commends nurses for maintaining the same dignified commitment to patient care, even under such constant threat.

"We welcome the proposals outlined in this report with some caution as there is no shortage of good recommendations in this area. A previous report had proposed very similar changes, but there has not been significant implementation. We will only make serious headway on this issue if we ensure that all recommendations are implemented and trumpet good performance that deliver results. At the same time, we need to ensure that every trust sees the prevention of violence and aggression as a priority.

"There are already good examples of a drop in levels of violence where trusts have recognised it as a serious issue and appropriately trained nurses have been placed at the centre of violence prevention strategies. The RCN calls on the government to take heed of this report and maintain support for trusts so that violence in healthcare is a thing of the past."

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world. The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.

Royal College of Nursing