Commenting on the publication of the annual NHS England Staff Survey today (Thursday), UNISON deputy head of health Alan Lofthouse said:
“No one should be attacked or live in fear of being assaulted at work.
“Staff are as frustrated as patients and hospital visitors about delays and long waits. There can never be an excuse for violence against people simply trying to do their jobs and provide the best possible care.
“Employers have a legal duty to protect staff from any risk to their health or safety at work, and must do more.
“The report points at a deeper malaise in the NHS. Morale is down and it’s worrying that staff feel less confident raising issues and that those concerns would be addressed.
“Health workers’ worries about staffing shortages and the inability to meet all the demands on their time must be listened to and acted upon.
“A dramatic cultural shift is needed in the NHS or the service will lose experienced people who won’t put up with being treated so poorly.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
