In the last five years, more than 50,000 attacks on healthcare staff have been reported, according to the Department of Health (DoH). This number represents an increase in incidents from 9600 in 2018/19, to 10,873 in 2022/23.
It’s not part of the job, has been produced by the DoH along with health trusts and trade unions. This new violence and aggression framework has been designed to ensure the right structures, policies and support are in place to ensure staff are able to practice safely.
Overall, the framework aims to prevent, reduce and respond to violence in health and social care. As part of the framework, trusts will be expected to review any incidents that may occur in order to reduce the risk in future.
Permanent secretary at the DoH Peter May called the abusive incident figures ‘appalling.’ He said: ‘As the majority of people recognise, staff are doing their best in a system that is significantly under-resourced.’
He said that despite the challenges which the framework acknowledges, ‘employers have a duty to provide a safe, secure environment and support for staff and others.
Image | Pexels
