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Blackburn A&E gets full-time police presence after assaults | Blackburn A&E gets full-time police presence after assaults |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Two police officers are to be stationed full time at the A&E department of a Lancashire hospital to reduce assaults and verbal abuse of staff. | Two police officers are to be stationed full time at the A&E department of a Lancashire hospital to reduce assaults and verbal abuse of staff. |
Royal Blackburn Hospital said it called police an average of 100 times a month last year to deal with problems. | |
These usually involved patients with "alcohol and substance misuse or mental health problems", the hospital said. | |
The project is costing £80,000 and its success will be reviewed after a year, a spokesman said. | The project is costing £80,000 and its success will be reviewed after a year, a spokesman said. |
The cost is being met jointly by Lancashire Police, local health trusts and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. | The cost is being met jointly by Lancashire Police, local health trusts and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. |
Missing persons | Missing persons |
Ch Insp Justin Srivastava said it was not about providing "a security presence in A&E". | Ch Insp Justin Srivastava said it was not about providing "a security presence in A&E". |
"These two officers will be highly skilled individuals trained to identify complex frequent attenders at A&E who can benefit from other services," he added. | "These two officers will be highly skilled individuals trained to identify complex frequent attenders at A&E who can benefit from other services," he added. |
As well as dealing with assaults on staff, the officers will also help find people who "voluntarily disappear" from A&E, sparking a search for a high risk missing person, the hospital said. | As well as dealing with assaults on staff, the officers will also help find people who "voluntarily disappear" from A&E, sparking a search for a high risk missing person, the hospital said. |
Kathy Parker, operational manager for the Royal College of Nursing in the North West, said: "It's important that hospitals are safe environments for both patients and staff alike. | |
"Challenging behaviour can make it difficult for staff to carry out their clinical and caring role. | |
"The RCN has pressed NHS employers to create positive environments where staff can better deliver compassionate care. | |
"This new and positive step forward will help reduce both risk but also some pressure on A&E at Blackburn." | |
The officers will start work on Tuesday, 1 April. | The officers will start work on Tuesday, 1 April. |
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