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Search forTory hits out over NHS staff safety
Monday, December 01, 2008, 07:05
Jonathan Morgan, Assembly Shadow Conservative Health Minister, has accused the Cardiff Bay administration of not doing enough during a Senedd debate.
He called on the Labour-Plaid government to set-up a National Service Unit designed to raise the number of successful prosecutions against the culprits of the violence.
Mr Morgan said the aim of the unit is to make sure Welsh NHS staff have the same rights and protection as those based in England.
Although the Assembly Government originally claimed there was no need for a new law to be applied in Wales for the offence of creating a disturbance or nuisance on NHS premises, they later made a U-turn on that policy after it sparked anger among NHS workers and politicians.
Figures from the Wales Audit Office show there were 8,000 attacks in the NHS, during 2003/4 — the equivalent of 22 attacks each day.
The report said it costs around £6 million to replace staff, cover legal bills, training and security.
Mr Morgan said: "Violence against NHS staff is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.
"Maintaining a highly motivated workforce is key to delivering a world-class health service in Wales.
"Aside from the physical injuries it causes, it undermines morale and adds further pressure on staff recruitment and retention.
"We remain worried about the levels of violence in A&E and also that many attacks are still under- reported."
"The National Health Service and the Assembly Government have a legal obligation to protect staff."
A Swansea NHS worker said incidents involving battling patients were still part of life for many.
He added: "All we are trying to do is help them.
"Yet the thanks we sometimes get is either verbal or physical abuse.
"They should be banned from hospitals unless they are very, very sick."
An Assembly Government spokesman said staff were already able to take steps against those who were violent against them.
He added: "Staff in Wales are already able to take action against such perpetrators.
"The Health Minister, Edwina Hart, is determined to stamp out violence and aggression against NHS staff and is taking action to achieve this.
"The Assembly Government commissioned a report looking into the issue.
"Health professionals were involved in its development and recommendations.
"This report has been published and Mrs Hart has asked former Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police and current chairman of Cwm Taf NHS Trust David Francis to take the report forward.
"There is an agreement in place between the Assembly Government, NHS, Association of Chief Police Officers and the Crown Prosecution Services on the prosecution of those who are violent and aggressive towards NHS staff."
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