Crackdown on violence against hospital staff (From This is Hampshire)

The standard set in the National Death Service is a crime ,little wonder so many get upset and violent ,it is way past time criminal charges were brought against THEM !!!!!

Perhaps, if the judicial system hammered offenders, and police were in constant attendance (at least at problem times), the message would spread that this behaviour is not going to be tolerated. Alternatively, employ some of the soldiers soon to be made redundant as security guards, with a free hand to firmly deal with the effluent that cause trouble.

This is a symptom of a series of much wider problems in society. It reflects the general “undercurrent of aggression” which seems to be flowing through sectors of our society. I’m not sure that it can be blamed on stretched NHS resources, misunderstanding or increased waiting times – they are mostly just aggressive (and cognitively challenged) generally and it’s probably not just hospital waiting rooms where they display this lack of intelligence.

I think a lot of this violence is alcohol & drug related.

Rather than fall back on the Courts, there is a very simple solution- refuse treatment. Walking home with a broken leg or blood pouring from a stab wound has a miraculous sobering effect. If the offenders wish to be treated, let them pay suitable compensation first before re-admission.

If this sounds unfair or cruel, just remember that it is exactly the treatment meted out by businesses such as pubs, bus companies etc.

Yes i agree this is mostly drug & alcohol related. my wife is a nurse at SGH and has been subject to many attempted assaults and verbal abuse by these low life scum. If they cannot behave in a appropriate manner while being offered help. we should bin them!!

I whole heartedly agree with goldenwight if people wish to act aggressively towards staff, then have them escourted from the building a plaster thrown at them, and told to hit the bricks!

If the NHS was to stand firm and actually say 'No' to violence and refused treatment we may see an improvement in behaviour within the emergency rooms. But if you consistantly let riff raff get away with acting like animals then be prepared to treat animals!

A lot of this aggression is not just drunkards but occurs as a result of lack of 'information'.
Patients arrive in A&E, their details are noted, there is triage, but then there is no further communication until they are seen. At busy times, that wait can be hours, especially if their injury is relatively minor compared to others incoming.
Patients are in discomfort and often feel like they've been forgotten about, they begin to get frustrated which can boil over. Knowing where they sit in the 'queue' would help. Having a nurse circulate around the waiting area would also help, as some injuries can get progressively worse the longer they are unattended.
The same aggression manifests itself at airports, stations etc. where a service is delayed/cancelled, but the details of that or alternative arrangements are not made visible enough.

Whilst I certainly agree with Lord Swood's comments (the A+E at St Marys in Newport, for example, permanently shows a waiting time of 2 hours- irrespective of whether you are the only patient or it is standing room only), I don't entirely agree with the assessment.

Firstly, by their very nature A+E departments should be filled with people who are ill in some way shape or form. I think a lot of people would argue that if they have the energy to attack staff then they can't really be that ill.

Secondly, we are talking about attacks on staff. I certainly agree that further information would be handy BUT- at the cost of removing a member of staff from the treatment area and thereby increasing waiting times thus exacerbating the position? And by putting a member of staff into a position which we have already established entails some personal danger? And who should be doing this- remember that we have a lot of people working in different capacities with different skills.

There is nothing to stop people going back to the reception desk and either asking for information on treatment times or explaining that their symptoms have worsened and require re-assessment.

Some hospitals do indeed make use of a 'take a number' type system for minor injuries, but unfortunately it isn't entirely practical in this situation. Perhaps, though, if one of the more senior nurses could pop his/her head behind the reception desk occasionally just to have a look at how things are progressing in the waiting area that would be helpful.

oh lordswood you must live in a dream as an ex security officer at SGH 90% of the calls i attend wer drunks and drug user who just wanted to be seen before any one else thats the usual exscuse for their bad behavioure infomation is given to them from the triage nurse time waits ect.there is no exscuse for the violence these staff have to put up with i agree with Rising Phoenix bad behaviour no treatment

Start equipping the nurses and Doctors with Mace spray.

The Nurses, Doctors and all Hospital staff don't deserve abuse from anyone for any reason. They only want to help, so why should they be abused?

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure most normal people, should they have a complaint, would do so via the correct way.

Lord Swood wrote:
A lot of this aggression is not just drunkards but occurs as a result of lack of 'information'.
Patients arrive in A&E, their details are noted, there is triage, but then there is no further communication until they are seen. At busy times, that wait can be hours, especially if their injury is relatively minor compared to others incoming.
Patients are in discomfort and often feel like they've been forgotten about, they begin to get frustrated which can boil over. Knowing where they sit in the 'queue' would help. Having a nurse circulate around the waiting area would also help, as some injuries can get progressively worse the longer they are unattended.
The same aggression manifests itself at airports, stations etc. where a service is delayed/cancelled, but the details of that or alternative arrangements are not made visible enough.

The most sensible comment on here. Anyone can become frustrated when in pain/feel ill or their relatives are terrifically worried and they feel forgotten about, of course noone condones violence of any kind.

However, the NHS can't just throw people out, they have a duty of care and if someone died because they kicked off and were thrown out then they would have failed in that care, therein lies the problem. At least this proactive approach may lessen and diffuse situations. I think you'll find they already have security at busy times!

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Lord Swood wrote:
A lot of this aggression is not just drunkards but occurs as a result of lack of 'information'.
Patients arrive in A&E, their details are noted, there is triage, but then there is no further communication until they are seen. At busy times, that wait can be hours, especially if their injury is relatively minor compared to others incoming.
Patients are in discomfort and often feel like they've been forgotten about, they begin to get frustrated which can boil over. Knowing where they sit in the 'queue' would help. Having a nurse circulate around the waiting area would also help, as some injuries can get progressively worse the longer they are unattended.
The same aggression manifests itself at airports, stations etc. where a service is delayed/cancelled, but the details of that or alternative arrangements are not made visible enough.

The most sensible comment on here. Anyone can become frustrated when in pain/feel ill or their relatives are terrifically worried and they feel forgotten about, of course noone condones violence of any kind.

However, the NHS can't just throw people out, they have a duty of care and if someone died because they kicked off and were thrown out then they would have failed in that care, therein lies the problem. At least this proactive approach may lessen and diffuse situations. I think you'll find they already have security at busy times!

Blimey the Nanny state has gone mad!! Let's tell everyone when to use the toilet too.

Are you suggesting someone who obviously has aggressive feelings will take any notice of signs.

A natural aggressive person will always be aggressive, you can give them as much info as you like, but if they are naturally aggressive then they are beyond help.

IronLady2010 wrote:

freemantlegirl2 wrote:

Lord Swood wrote:
A lot of this aggression is not just drunkards but occurs as a result of lack of 'information'.
Patients arrive in A&E, their details are noted, there is triage, but then there is no further communication until they are seen. At busy times, that wait can be hours, especially if their injury is relatively minor compared to others incoming.
Patients are in discomfort and often feel like they've been forgotten about, they begin to get frustrated which can boil over. Knowing where they sit in the 'queue' would help. Having a nurse circulate around the waiting area would also help, as some injuries can get progressively worse the longer they are unattended.
The same aggression manifests itself at airports, stations etc. where a service is delayed/cancelled, but the details of that or alternative arrangements are not made visible enough.

The most sensible comment on here. Anyone can become frustrated when in pain/feel ill or their relatives are terrifically worried and they feel forgotten about, of course noone condones violence of any kind.

However, the NHS can't just throw people out, they have a duty of care and if someone died because they kicked off and were thrown out then they would have failed in that care, therein lies the problem. At least this proactive approach may lessen and diffuse situations. I think you'll find they already have security at busy times!

Blimey the Nanny state has gone mad!! Let's tell everyone when to use the toilet too.

Are you suggesting someone who obviously has aggressive feelings will take any notice of signs.

A natural aggressive person will always be aggressive, you can give them as much info as you like, but if they are naturally aggressive then they are beyond help.

The article is not just about aggressive people arriving at A&E. It discusses "to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and flare-ups" and also "reduce the frustrations that can lead to violence".
There is no excuse for bad behaviour by drunkards et al, but I have also seen perfectly respectable people getting increasingly irritated and angry with a prolonged wait and no clue as to when they will be seen.
I'm at the General seven days a week and I think the measures the study is suggesting will help prevent those frustrations building up (in respectable people). I think 'information' is the key here.
I also agree with the comment that staff need to be secure against violent admissions, so perhaps security needs a greater presence in the A&E area.