UNISON, the UK’s largest union today welcomed fines of up to £1,000 for patients or relatives who verbally attack or threaten NHS staff, being announced by Patricia Hewitt today. In addition, the union is calling for a dual approach with tougher penalties for people found guilty of attacking nurses, paramedics and other health care staff.
Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health said:
“UNISON welcomes this zero tolerance approach as abusive language and threatening behaviour often escalates into violence. Stopping this aggression in it’s tracks will help protect nurses and other health care workers from the risk of more violent assault.
ÒA £1000 fine would send out a strong message that members of the public will not get away with insulting and abusive behaviour towards hospital staff.
UNISON would like to see health workers given the same legal protection as police officers with the introduction of a new crime – assault on a public sector worker
ÒPeople know that if they assault a police officer they will get the book thrown at them – we would like to see the same protection given to all NHS staff.Ó tough penalties the introduction of a new law – assault on a public sector worker.Ó
ends
Notes to editors
Official statistics show that there were 43,301 incidents of physical assault in mental health and learning disability settings, 11,482 physical assaults against NHS staff in acute hospitals, and 1,329 against ambulance staff in 2004/05 – across England.