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| 'Get tough' deal over NHS attacks | 'Get tough' deal over NHS attacks |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A deal between NHS bosses and police forces in Wales to tackle violence and abuse of health service staff is to be established. | |
| Health Minister Edwina Hart is to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing new protocols for investigating incidents against health workers. | Health Minister Edwina Hart is to sign a memorandum of understanding allowing new protocols for investigating incidents against health workers. |
| Figures show there were more than 7,000 violent or aggressive incidents in the NHS in Wales in 2007-2008. | Figures show there were more than 7,000 violent or aggressive incidents in the NHS in Wales in 2007-2008. |
| The Unison union said the agreement would be a "significant step forward". | The Unison union said the agreement would be a "significant step forward". |
| Dave Galligan from the union added: "It will allow staff to be more confident that the perpetrators will have to answer for their actions in the future." | Dave Galligan from the union added: "It will allow staff to be more confident that the perpetrators will have to answer for their actions in the future." |
| In July, an assembly audit committee found there had been a "lack of urgency" in tackling the problem. | In July, an assembly audit committee found there had been a "lack of urgency" in tackling the problem. |
| Their report said assaults were still under-reported because many workers did not believe action would be taken against their attacker. | Their report said assaults were still under-reported because many workers did not believe action would be taken against their attacker. |
| Focus | Focus |
| The changes will affect the referral of cases to police, evidence gathering and the provision of statements, post-incident reviews and support for victims through the court procedure. | The changes will affect the referral of cases to police, evidence gathering and the provision of statements, post-incident reviews and support for victims through the court procedure. |
| They will be bolstered by a forthcoming reorganisation of the NHS, where newly-established health bodies will each be required to appoint named individuals at executive director and non-officer levels who will focus on the problem of violence within their own organisations. | They will be bolstered by a forthcoming reorganisation of the NHS, where newly-established health bodies will each be required to appoint named individuals at executive director and non-officer levels who will focus on the problem of violence within their own organisations. |
| It is important to establish a culture of acceptance for reporting violent incidents as this is a positive step toward creating a safer work environment Tina Donnelly, RCN | It is important to establish a culture of acceptance for reporting violent incidents as this is a positive step toward creating a safer work environment Tina Donnelly, RCN |
| The signing is taking place at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, with South Wales Police chief constable Barbara Wilding representing the four Welsh forces. | The signing is taking place at Morriston Hospital in Swansea, with South Wales Police chief constable Barbara Wilding representing the four Welsh forces. |
| Mrs Hart said: "I am determined to stamp out violence and aggression against NHS staff. | Mrs Hart said: "I am determined to stamp out violence and aggression against NHS staff. |
| "It is unacceptable that NHS staff face wilful violence and aggression in going about their day-to-day duties caring for patients. | "It is unacceptable that NHS staff face wilful violence and aggression in going about their day-to-day duties caring for patients. |
| "Some incidents may take the form of verbal abuse while others may lead to physical assaults. However, neither are acceptable and cause unnecessary stress to staff who are trying to do their job. | "Some incidents may take the form of verbal abuse while others may lead to physical assaults. However, neither are acceptable and cause unnecessary stress to staff who are trying to do their job. |
| "Such behaviour by a minority of patients and visitors not only harm staff but other patients and visitors." | "Such behaviour by a minority of patients and visitors not only harm staff but other patients and visitors." |
| Ms Wilding said: "I hope this agreement reassures NHS staff that we are here to support them and that all incidents will be dealt with appropriately." | Ms Wilding said: "I hope this agreement reassures NHS staff that we are here to support them and that all incidents will be dealt with appropriately." |
| Tina Donnelly, the director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales (RCN), who is also attending the event, said: "A strong commitment is imperative to reducing violent and aggressive behaviour and eliminating barriers to reporting incidents of violence. | Tina Donnelly, the director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales (RCN), who is also attending the event, said: "A strong commitment is imperative to reducing violent and aggressive behaviour and eliminating barriers to reporting incidents of violence. |
| "It is important to establish a culture of acceptance for reporting violent incidents as this is a positive step toward creating a safer work environment. Procedures for reporting violent incidents should be clear and staff should have access to care and counselling following an incident, if needed." | "It is important to establish a culture of acceptance for reporting violent incidents as this is a positive step toward creating a safer work environment. Procedures for reporting violent incidents should be clear and staff should have access to care and counselling following an incident, if needed." |
| In 2007, the assembly government signed an agreement with the Criminal Prosecution Service to ensure the effective prosecution of people who assault or abuse NHS staff. | In 2007, the assembly government signed an agreement with the Criminal Prosecution Service to ensure the effective prosecution of people who assault or abuse NHS staff. |