Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Firm stance on violence towards health staff
Leaders from NHS Lanarkshire and North and South Health and Social Care Partnerships in the region have issued a reminder that any form of violence and aggression towards staff won’t be tolerated.
Although the majority of the public continue to show consideration and support in the collective effort to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, a joint statement has followed an increase of reports from concerned frontline staff about incidents of hostility from a minority.
Heather Knox, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, and Ross Mcguffie and Val de Souza, chief officers of North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships respectively, have united in a robust response.
It reads: “The majority of the public continue to be very supportive of our staff and we would thank them for that.
“Sadly, however, we are hearing more reports that a minority have been engaging in behaviours and attitude towards some of our staff that is completely unacceptable.
“We have a very clear message to those who would display any form of violent or aggressive behaviour, be it verbal or physical, towards our staff; it never has been tolerated and it will certainly not be tolerated now.
“We are continually working in partnership with local police in the management of aggressive and violent individuals and we will continue to do so.”
The statement added: “We completely understand this continues to be an extremely challenging and trying time for everyone in Lanarkshire.
“We continue to live with restrictions that mean our current way of life is a world away from where we were as a society pre-covid.
“Those ongoing challenges have translated to changes in how health, social care and other public services are delivered.
“People of Lanarkshire should be absolutely assured that our staff and partners, despite invariably carrying personal worries and apprehensions of their own, remain resolutely committed to providing the best possible care.
“We are hugely thankful to them for their resilience – as are the vast majority of people who recognise their ongoing efforts and have shown patience and understanding.
“As we continue through the winter months, we’d plea to people to keep bearing with us.
“Crucially, please be kind to our staff who are committed to caring, no matter the circumstances.”
Monklands teenagers are being encouraged to “raise their voice”and apply to become advisers to the children and young people’s commissioner for Scotland.
Young people aged between 14 and 17 are wanted to join the key group who represent their peer group, defending their rights and highlighting and speaking out on issues including mental health, poverty and school closures.
Meetings are currently taking place online, and participants take part in a variety of projects and creative tasks, organising events and influencing decisions.
Current young adviser Coll said:“you’re applying to a role which will place you at the heart of the decision-making of one of Scotland’s foremost young people’s organisations.”
Bruce Adamson, the children and young people’s commissioner, is especially keen for people who have not previously been part of organised groups to apply to join the panel.
He said:“i want our new young advisers group to reflect Scotland’s diversity, and we’d especially love to support young people who might not have done anything like this before.
“Young advisers help my office to stand up effectively for children’s rights. They’ve shaped a huge range of our work, from policing in the pandemic to climate justice and exam cancellations; they’ve helped us recruit staff and influenced the design of our new website.
“I have the best job in
Young advisers help my office to stand up effectively for children’s rights Bruce Adamson
the world, and the best part of that is working with children and young people.
“Whatever your background or experience, please apply now.”
New recruits will be supported by the commissioner’s team and previous young advisers.
Information and application details are available at cypcs.org.uk/ get-help/young-people/ become-a-youngadviser/ and applications close at 5pm on March 1.