Hospital violence revealed as new figures published

ASSAULTS on staff working at a North trust have more than doubled in six years - making it one of the biggest increases in England.

At South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, 114 assaults were recorded in 2015/16, a 115% rise from 53 in 2010/11.

This means the rate of assaults has risen from 21.7 per 1,000 workers to 24.2 per 1,000 over the period.

Dr Bob Brown, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust’s director of quality and transformation, insists the increase is due to the trust’s ‘growing footprint’.

He said: “The increase in the number of reported assaults against staff was reflective of the Trust’s growing footprint, including the transfer of community health services in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland in 2011 which resulted in our staff numbers doubling.

“However, latest figures for physical assaults show us at a lower rate per 1,000 staff compared to our closest neighbouring Trusts in the North East.

“We have a proven track record for supporting staff in relation to incidents involving violence and aggression and we deliver staff education on managing conflict situations, on assault avoidance and on increasing security awareness.

“We also employ a dedicated security team for the benefit of patients, visitors and staff alike and security remains a top consideration in designing new services.

“We always encourage staff and patients to report incidents of abuse and violence. Each case is investigated and, where appropriate, we involve the police and pursue prosecution.

“It must be recognised, however, that not all reported assaults are criminal in nature and, in some cases, are related to the complex health and illness needs of patients in our care and, as a result, our reported figures can fluctuate.”

An investigation released by campaigning organisation 38 Degrees reported numbers could be an underestimate of the true levels of violence faced by NHS workers.

The group submitted Freedom of Information requests to NHS hospital trusts and found in 26 of those trusts, attacks on NHS staff have doubled (or South Tyneside District Hospital more) during a six year period from 2010/11 to 2015/2016.

The report also reveals in 25 of the 42 trusts there were cases of under-reporting of assaults on NHS hospital staff.

It also found seven trusts where attacks on hospital staff have been under-reported every single year from 2011/12 to 2015/16.

An anonymous NHS employee and 38 Degrees member from County Durham described their experience of violence in the workplace. They added: “I have a challenging job faced with stressful, difficult and sensitive issues. I can deal with this. What I can’t deal with is being spat at, swore at - I dodge kicks, objects thrown at me, threatened with acts of violence outside of work, I report these incidents however they continue. There is no real protection or support.”

NHS figures show there were 20,018 assaults on staff across England in 2015/16, a 49% rise from 13,436 in 2010/11, as the number of assaults has risen steadily over the six-year period.

At Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals, the number of assaults has risen 41% from 138 in 2010/11 to 195 in 2015/16, with the rate rising from 11 assaults per 1,000 staff members to 13.4 per 1,000.

Clare Williams, Unison’s northern regional secretary, said: “The rise in assaults on NHS staff is entirely unacceptable.

“Even one assault on an NHS employee could be enough to end their career prematurely. Hospital trusts must ensure that all assaults are reported and that more support is given to staff when they occur.

“All NHS staff should have the right to do their jobs without having to worry for their own safety.”