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Daily threat of violence in hospitals

Delegates representing hospital workers, GPs and social workers heard first-hand accounts of violence inflicted by patients on those trying to care for them.

The two-day conference in the Murray Royal Hospital was told that about one in 10 health professsionals can expect to encounter such trouble in their workplace.

The "Dangerous Times" conference, opened by Scottish Health Minister Susan Deacon, is investigating how best to deal with volatile situations.

Aggression management

It is examining the practice of aggression management where specialised training could help doctors and nurses to calm an angry patient before they become violent.

Ms Deacon promised further help when the Scottish Executive publishes its new occupational health and safety strategy next month.

The paper will tackle a broad range of issues, with a view to providing a safer environment for those who care for others

The government last month launched a zero tolerance campaign to combat violence against NHS staff.

The campaign is designed to urge staff to report violence and tell the public that they should not stand by and watch it happen.

Information packs telling managers how to make working conditions safer for staff are also being distributed to hospitals.

Cost of violence 'great'

Launching the campaign, Health Minister John Denham said: "It is unacceptable that caring NHS staff can be rewarded with intimidation and violence.

"The cost of violence against staff is great. Victims can suffer physical and pyschological pain. Confidence can be irrevocably dented and stress levels rise."

Assaults in the NHS are the third most common cause of injury to staff, after falls and slips and needlestick accidents.

Last year 65,000 NHS employees were attacked. For every 1,000 people working for the NHS seven of them are attacked each month.

Relevant Stories

NHS violence: The nurses' story (14 Oct 99 | Health)
Dobson launches assault on violence (15 Apr 99 | Health)
Nurses want 'zero tolerance' on violence (09 Mar 99 | Health)
Violence 'part of the job' for nurses (29 Oct 98 | Health)
Violence strikes ambulance staff (26 Oct 98 | Health)
One in 10 health workers attacked (10 Aug 98 | Health)
A kick in the teeth for violent dental patients (10 Jul 98 | Health)
GPs call for secure units for violent patients (26 Jun 98 | Health)
Action plan to tackle rising violence against NHS staff (23 Jun 98 | Health)

Internet Links

Royal College of Nursing
Zero Tolerance to Violence Campaign
Scottish Executive

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