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Hospital staff assaulted 119 times last year
NURSES, midwives and porters in Peterborough are being slapped, pinched, punched, kicked or violently pushed at least twice every week.
NURSES, midwives and porters in Peterborough are being slapped, pinched, punched, kicked or violently pushed at least twice every week.New figures obtained today by The Evening Telegraph reveal NHS staff employed by the city's hospital trust are still falling victim to an alarming number of violent assaults from patients, patients' families and even children.
A Freedom of Information request to Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust showed a worrying 55 malicious attacks took place on hospital staff, including midwives, nurses, healthcare assistants and managers, last year.
It also revealed there were a further 64 attacks on staff last year carried out by "confused or distressed" patients who were "not aware" of their actions because of medical conditions or age.
The figures show an increase from 2007, when there were a total of 114 attacks, 57 malicious and 57 by confused or distressed patients, and means hospital staff across the city – from nurses to porters – are still being faced with the problem of physical violence and aggression.
Out of the 119 assaults last year, 32 suffered no harm, 48 needed first aid for bruises and cuts, and 16 suffered minor injuries, including sprains and strains, and needed short-term treatment.
Three of the attacks resulted in a moderate injury where the member of staff needed time off work.
These included an incident reported in the Evening Telegraph in February last year, when a young midwife who was on call to attend a newborn baby on the Welland estate in Peterborough was viciously attacked by a hoodie.
The results also show that of the assaults, 86 took place at Peterborough District Hospital, 26 at Edith Cavell Hospital, four at Stamford Hospital, two happened while staff were in the community, and one at Peterborough Maternity Unit.
Director of human resources Christine Tolond said any violence towards the trust's staff, including verbal or physical abuse, was "wholly unacceptable" and would not be tolerated.
She said: "The trust has an effective reporting system, and staff are encouraged to report assaults of all types and severity. The trust provides conflict resolution and personal safety training, which we encourage all frontline staff to attend.
"In Peterborough and Stamford, we have a relatively low number of assaults against staff. The total number of assaults reported in 2008 are consistent with the total number reported in 2007.
"Where appropriate, the trust will take a very firm line with individuals who assault staff.
"We will continue to work closely with the police and Crown Prosecution Service to pursue prosecutions through the courts."
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