RCN responds to today’s Society of Occupational Medicine report on the number of violent attacks against nurses
Published: 03 March
Dr. Peter Carter, General Secretary & Chief Executive of the Royal College of Nursing, said:
“This is yet another shocking report outlining the serious threat of violence faced by UK nurses on a daily basis. All nurses and healthcare workers have the right to care for their patients whilst feeling safe, secure and properly supported.
“As the report rightly points out, the government need to put more resources into the prevention of assaults and ensure that adequate counselling and support networks are available to all victims of assault. In addition, the RCN would like to see employers, the police service and the justice system taking serious action against perpetrators.
“The Westminster government has begun to acknowledge the issue by pledging £97 million to tackle violence against NHS staff, but this will only solve part of the problem. If the government want the best health service in the world, they need to ensure the safety and security of all healthcare workers by paying this issue much more attention.”
-ends-
Notes to Editors
• Last year, the RCN carried out a survey of lone healthcare workers in the community, which found that only 22.7% of victims received counselling and debriefing following an incident. The report can be found here: http://www.rcn.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/78761/003172.pdf
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.