Health Minister Determined to Stamp Out Hospital Violence
With cases of assaults and violence against NHS staff in Wales soaring to 7,343 in 2007-08, NHS Wales and South Wales Police have undertaken to work closely on investigations into such claims of violence.
Recently, Health Minister Edwina Hart signed a policy statement that includes a new set of rules for investigation of such cases, which involves gathering evidence, providing statements, referring cases to the police, supporting victims when their case has progressed to court, and posting case reviews.
Regular violence and aggression reports taken up at Board meetings have prompted the Health Ministry to propose the formation of new Health Organisations by effecting a re-organisation of the NHS in Wales. Each organisation will have to appoint people at both Executive Director and non-officer levels. The main agenda of these individuals and organizations will be to deal with the problem of violence against NHS staff.
Mrs Hart is convinced that the move will encourage stern action against violent offenders and act as a deterrent to others. She declared that she is determined to wipe out cases of aggression and workplace violence against NHS staff.
She feels it is unacceptable that the staff should face wilful aggression and violence while taking care of patients as a daily routine. Incidents, be it in the form of physical assault or verbal abuse, are intolerable and cause unwanted stress to staff who try their best to do their jobs. Such behaviour by a few patients and visitors not only harms the staff, but also other patients and visitors.
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