- Conference
- 2004 Health Care Service Group Conference
- Date
- 2 January 2004
- Decision
- Carried
This conference deplores the use of violence, verbal threats and abuse against healthcare workers, recognising the detrimental effect these have on the abilty of staff to continue working in such environments, as well as the negative effect violence and aggression can have on service users. We acknowledge, however that some patients are unwell at the time of the incident and may not be capable of understanding their actions. Where this is the case, action must be taken to immediately support the victim and patient. We believe it is essential that an assessment of the patient’s capability to understand their actions is made and that this is undertaken at the time of the incident. With this assessment support can either be provided more speedily or appropriate action taken.
We welcome the work, which the Government has done to tackle violence in particular the work on Zero Tolerance, however this method does not translate into Mental Health Services, a patient sectioned under the Mental Health Act cannot be given a red card. We welcome the fact that the Department of Health and NIMHE are now looking closely at this issue and have given it such a high priority, we look forward to working with them on this subject.
Health workers must also take responsibility. We have become complacent and accept verbal outbursts as an every day occurrence. We have to turn this tide.
There is also a lack of consistency in the way in which cases are managed. Some organisations provide good support to staff, including immediate and long term support. However this is not always the case and on occasions health workers who are victims of violence and verbal abuse are left to fend for themselves with only the help of the union to guide them.
We welcome the audit being undertaken by CHAI and look forward to its findings. This issue must be priority; recruitment and retention of health workers in Mental Health is in crisis. Being a victim of violence is bad enough but not feeling supported is unacceptable.
Conference we call for the following: –
·Guidelines should be developed which branches and members can use as a resource if there is a violence episode at work. This should include information on best practise and advise members and their representatives on courses of action, which may be available to them;
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·The guidelines should also highlight the link between inadequate staffing levels and the risk of violence from patients;
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·Write to the Minister(s), expressing our concern at the lack of continuity of management of violent incidents seeking assurances from the Departments that this will be addressed and that additional resources will be made available as part of a preventative strategy;
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·Branches to negotiate robust Zero Tolerance agreements at local level that cover verbal abuse directed at staff; including abuse that is racist, homophobic, sexist or disablist, and ensure these are reflected in local harassment policies;
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·Nursing sector should continue its partnership working with the Department of Health and NIMHE to ensure that this continues to be a priority;
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·Press the Government via Labour Link to prosecute all deliberate acts of violence against all Health workers in the same manner as the police.
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