The way to end abuse

I’ve been spat at, punched, kicked, sworn at, had knives pulled on me and twice been held hostage during my career as a doctor. Sadly, my experiences are far from unique. There’s no doubt that those on the frontline of the NHS bear the brunt of some atrocious behaviour.

Things are so bad that this week, at the Royal College of Nursing congress, it was suggested that NHS staff should be fitted with body cameras in an attempt to keep them safe.

While attacking members of staff is unforgivable, the more pressing issue is not the staff abused by patients, but rather patients abused by staff behind closed doors.

I’m thinking of the elderly, the mentally ill or those with learning disabilities — the most vulnerable members of society — who are on the receiving end of horrific abuse and neglect, particularly in care homes.

The vast majority of abuse cases that come to light do so because families have placed a camera in their relative’s room. We should now start installing this as routine. In fact, if we could put them in every room, abuse would stop practically over night.

We’d weed out the perpetrators and allow those who really care to get on with their jobs.

Yes, it’s awful that we even need to consider action like this, but sadly, as so many scandals have shown, it’s crucial that we do.