RCN condemns attacks on staff

Published: 30 November 2012

No member of staff working for the NHS should be subjected to or even fear assault, the Royal College of Nursing has said.

The comments were made in response to new figures published by NHS Protect that show that attacks on NHS staff have risen in the past year.

RCN Chief Executive & General Secretary Dr Peter Carter acknowledged that there are some instances when assault or aggressive behaviour is related to a clinical condition, but called on employers to do more to prevent attacks.

“There are measures advocated by NHS Protect which can help to reduce assaults against staff, from the threat of prosecution to providing alarms for lone workers and a calm environment in hospitals. However, too often these are not the reality our members experience on the ground,” he said.

The RCN is concerned that the increase in attacks could be due to increasing waiting times, reduced staffing levels and a growing level of frustration as the NHS struggles to cope. The RCN is calling on employers to take action to protect staff to reduce the individual suffering and the resulting time off work.