Action On Violence And Aggression Against NHS Staff In Wales Doesn't Go Far Enough

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 16 Sep 2009 - 1:00 PDT

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Commenting on the memorandum of understanding which has been established to enable police in Wales to work with the NHS to eradicate violence and aggression against health professionals, Dr Richard Lewis, Welsh Secretary of the BMA said;

"BMA Cymru Wales very much welcomes this development and it should help with the investigation and prosecution of alleged attacks against doctors and the wider medical profession.

"Action to show people that violent behaviour will not be tolerated is long overdue with the problem becoming more widespread. More than 7,000 incidents were reported in the NHS in 2007-08. It is also an area that we have been calling for action for several years now, having been made aware of many incidents where our members have been victims of violence and aggression. As far as BMA Cymru Wales is concerned, it is totally unacceptable and inexcusable to attack a doctor, or any healthcare professional in the line of duty, when they are trying to ensure the good health and well being of patients.

"There is still much to be done in completely stamping out this problem, which, to many of our members is sadly becoming part of the norm of their daily working lives."

To stand alongside this memorandum of understanding, BMA Cymru Wales is calling for the following;

- A register of violent patients - If a doctor, nurse or other healthcare personnel can be alerted in advance to the possibility of a patient becoming violent, s/he will be forewarned and no longer placed in a position of vulnerability, through a lack of relevant information.

- Training and Communication - Ensure that all staff are fully trained and are aware of the mechanisms to report physical or verbal abuse and that they are encouraged to report incidents.

- Staff Support - Ensure that all staff are supported at all times, and continuing support (counselling services for example) are available after the violent incident.

- Public Awareness - Patients and healthcare users need to know that they are not outside of the law while in contact with healthcare professionals, and that those offenders will be brought to justice.

Source
The British Medical Association

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