RCN calls on employers to protect their staff from violence

Published: 16 November 2009

Responding to the annual figures on physical assaults against NHS staff in England, Dr Peter Carter, Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), said:

"It is completely unacceptable that at least 55,000 physical assaults on nurses and other NHS staff took place in the past year. The very slight decline may be a step in the right direction but too many employers are failing to invest in measures to prevent attacks on staff in the first place. In particular, lone workers continue to be put at risk despite the government scheme to provide assistance with the funding of lone worker alarm devices and training.

"Employers must take responsibility for these vulnerable workers, not only by making use of the technology available but by having a full package of measures to ensure that staff who work in the community are protected. Staff across the NHS deserve to have their safety taken seriously by their employers, the government and the criminal justice system."
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Notes to Editors

There were 54,758 reported physical assaults against NHS staff in 2008/9. The reported figures can be found here - http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/security

For further information, interviews or illustrations please contact the RCN Media Office on 0207 647 3633, press.office@rcn.org.uk or visit http://www.rcn.org.uk/news/mediacentre.php

Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is the voice of nursing across the UK and is the largest professional union of nursing staff in the world.  The RCN promotes the interest of nurses and patients on a wide range of issues and helps shape healthcare policy by working closely with the UK Government and other national and international institutions, trade unions, professional bodies and voluntary organisations.