UNISON will continue to fight against violence at work, which is a major occupational hazard for too many UNISON members.
The union’s head of health safety, Tracey Harding, says “UNISON will continue to campaign and work with employers, the HSE and other agencies to stop attacks on staff from happening.”
As part of that work, UNISON has produced health and safety guide on policies for tackling violence at work, which can be downloaded from the web or ordered from the online catalogue
It’s not part of the job – tackling violence at work guidelines
It’s not part of the job poster
A 2012 survey by UNISON, for instance, showed that nearly 70% of healthcare assistants had experienced violence at work.
The issue was brought into a tragic highlight in July, when UNISON member Sharon Wall was stabbed to death at the meantal health hospital in Gloucester, where she worked as a mental healthcare assistant.
A patient at the Wotton Lawn Hospital has been charged with her murder and remanded in custody for trial.
NHS figures show that 679 staff, out of 2,346, at the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust which runs the mental health hospital experienced assaults in 2012-13.
UNISON has expressed its support and condolences to Ms Wall’s family and colleagues.
“This is dreadful news and the worse news imaginable for her friends and family,” said Ms Harding.
UNISON South West regional manager Tanya Palmer said the attack was “utterly devastating”.