Assaults against staff continue to fall

THE NUMBER of physical assaults against Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust staff by patients and the public has fallen for the fourth year running.

A new report from the NHS Security Management Service shows that the number of assaults has fallen from 543 in 2007/08 to 490 in 2008/09. The decrease represents a significant step in efforts to improve safety and security for staff at the trust.

Paul Martin, Director of Corporate Services said: “Our staff will always try to put their patients’ needs first, but in doing so we must do everything we can to ensure staff are protected from physical assault.

“We are very pleased to see that the numbers are continuing to fall. While there is still more work to do, the figures do show that we are beginning to see success in our work to tackle violence.”

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has a local security management specialist to oversee security matters. All frontline staff are also trained in the prevention and management of violence.

Education and training is an important part of the trust’s work to reduce violent incidents against staff. The trust provides provides training in a range of techniques designed to deal with violent and aggressive situations in the workplace, include breakaway training, control and restraint, and promoting safer and therapeutic services.