News Article
05 August 2009
Nurses, doctors, ambulance crews and other NHS staff in Suffolk who are assaulted or abused can expect enhanced support from the authorities thanks to the signing today of an innovative three-way agreement designed to help reduce the problem (signed at Suffolk Constabulary HQ in Martlesham Heath, Ipswich, 5th August 2009).
A Service Level Agreement (SLA) between the NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS), Suffolk Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Suffolk will help these bodies work closely together to ensure that people who attack NHS staff are prosecuted, where appropriate.
If the unique SLA works in Suffolk, other counties are likely to take the same approach. It builds on the national-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the CPS and the NHS which sets out the roles of the Police, CPS and NHS Local Security Management Specialists (LSMSs) in working together to punish and deter attacks on NHS staff. It also dovetails with the MOU in place between NHS SMS and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
Sue Frith, Deputy Head of the NHS Security Management Service said today:
“The national-level MOUs have already started to make their mark in a positive way. Awareness about prosecuting those who attack people who work in the NHS is growing. This SLA ensures that the welcome commitment at the top of our three organisations is put into practice locally so that we all act together to support NHS staff, who have a right to a safe and secure working environment. Violence and abuse against them is highly disruptive for the delivery of care and treatment to patients.”
Chair of Suffolk Criminal Justice Board and Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS in Suffolk, Paula Abrahams, said:
“Not only will the agreement help to improve the protection of NHS staff in Suffolk, it will also help to strengthen the prosecution process by improving the quality of information exchanged between local criminal justice agencies and the NHS Security Management Service. This will help to build the confidence of staff working within the NHS in Suffolk to come forward and support a prosecution if they have been the victim of a crime."
Chief Constable of Suffolk Constabulary, Simon Ash, said:
“We regard assaults and abuse of NHS staff as a serious matter which undermines their ability to care for people who genuinely need their help. We will work closely with our CPS colleagues to ensure where appropriate these people are charged and brought before the courts.”
The SLA can be viewed at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/security
For more information contact James Robertson or Daryl Barrett at the NHS Security Management Service press office on 020 7895 4524/4523. Out of hours mobile 07717 851 926
Further information on NHS CFS can be found at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/security
Notes to editors
1. The NHS Security Management Service (NHS SMS) – a division of the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) - was set up in 2003 to handle policy and operational matters related to the management of security within the NHS in England. It strives to ensure permanent improvements are made to provide the best protection for NHS staff and property.
2. In 2007/08 there were 55,993 reported physical assaults against NHS staff in England. During the same period sanctions against people who commit assault have risen to 992 – an increase of 123 on last year and a substantial rise from the 51 that were recorded in 2002/3.
3. In April 2004, the NHS SMS developed a national syllabus for conflict resolution training aimed at all frontline NHS staff. This training gives staff the skills to recognise and defuse potentially violent situations. Figures show that more than 428,000 staff have been trained so far.
4. Local Security Management Specialists (LSMSs) are in place in 90% of health bodies around England to investigate security breaches, along with the police, and implement new systems to better protect NHS staff and property. All reported incidents of violence against staff are reported to the LSMS as well as the police. They receive professional training in areas such as witness interviewing and a background in law, and are supported nationally by the NHS SMS.