This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6107468.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Assaults against NHS staff fall | Assaults against NHS staff fall |
| (4 days later) | |
| The number of NHS staff being physically assaulted has fallen, official figures have shown. | The number of NHS staff being physically assaulted has fallen, official figures have shown. |
| NHS Security Management Service data showed there were 58,695 physical assaults against NHS staff in England in 2005/06, down 1,690 from 2004/05. | NHS Security Management Service data showed there were 58,695 physical assaults against NHS staff in England in 2005/06, down 1,690 from 2004/05. |
| Despite the overall fall, assaults against staff working in NHS hospitals rose last year. | Despite the overall fall, assaults against staff working in NHS hospitals rose last year. |
| In June police and health security officials announced a crackdown on any abuse of staff in the health service. | In June police and health security officials announced a crackdown on any abuse of staff in the health service. |
| The new figures equate to an assault on one in every 23 staff members - down from one in every 22 staff in the previous year. | The new figures equate to an assault on one in every 23 staff members - down from one in every 22 staff in the previous year. |
| The number of people prosecuted for assaulting staff also increased by 12%, from 759 to 850, the NHS Security Management Service (SMS) said. | The number of people prosecuted for assaulting staff also increased by 12%, from 759 to 850, the NHS Security Management Service (SMS) said. |
| A detailed breakdown of the figures showed assaults on ambulance staff, primary care trust staff and those working in mental health services all fell last year. | A detailed breakdown of the figures showed assaults on ambulance staff, primary care trust staff and those working in mental health services all fell last year. |
| However, the number of assaults on staff working in hospitals rose from 10,758 in 2004/05 to 11,100 assaults last year. | However, the number of assaults on staff working in hospitals rose from 10,758 in 2004/05 to 11,100 assaults last year. |
| Violence and aggression | Violence and aggression |
| Health minister Rosie Winterton said: "It is totally unacceptable that NHS staff should face violence and aggression in the course of their job. | Health minister Rosie Winterton said: "It is totally unacceptable that NHS staff should face violence and aggression in the course of their job. |
| "Thankfully, these statistics show the tide is turning and we are finally seeing a reduction in the number of assaults. | "Thankfully, these statistics show the tide is turning and we are finally seeing a reduction in the number of assaults. |
| "However this does not mean we can rest on our laurels." | "However this does not mean we can rest on our laurels." |
| She said the government wanted to make anti-social and nuisance behaviour on NHS premises a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to £1,000 and give hospitals the power to remove people from their premises. | She said the government wanted to make anti-social and nuisance behaviour on NHS premises a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to £1,000 and give hospitals the power to remove people from their premises. |
| Ms Winterton added: "By giving the NHS the power to remove a potential threat, it would help reduce violent attacks on staff. | Ms Winterton added: "By giving the NHS the power to remove a potential threat, it would help reduce violent attacks on staff. |
| "This, alongside an increase in prosecutions, conflict resolution training for over 250,000 staff and our close working relationship with the Association of Chief Police Officers, means we can win the war against these violent offenders." | "This, alongside an increase in prosecutions, conflict resolution training for over 250,000 staff and our close working relationship with the Association of Chief Police Officers, means we can win the war against these violent offenders." |