Hundreds of Staff Attacks Reported at Blackpool Victoria Hospital
New data reveals alarming levels of violence against NHS staff in Blackpool, prompting calls for a zero tolerance policy.
Blackpool, UK, NHS, Violence, Staff Safety
Blackpool: It’s been a tough time for the staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Reports show that there were 456 incidents of violence against them in just one year. That’s a lot, right?
Most of these incidents were verbal, but 279 were physical assaults. It’s really concerning to see such numbers. The board chairman, James Wilkie, is calling for a serious look into this issue.
He’s questioning if other hospitals are facing similar problems. It’s clear that something needs to change. He emphasized the need for a zero tolerance approach to protect the staff who work hard under tough conditions.
Angela Parfitt, who’s in charge of quality governance at the hospital, mentioned that violence in the NHS is on the rise. She pointed out that Blackpool has a more challenging demographic, which might explain the higher numbers.
They’re working on better training for staff to handle these situations. The goal is to boost their confidence in dealing with conflict and reduce the risk of assaults.
Interestingly, a national NHS Staff Survey found that nearly 14% of staff reported experiencing physical violence in the past year. That’s a staggering figure!
And it’s not just in Blackpool. Reports indicate that at least 55 ambulance staff face abuse or attacks every single day across the UK. It’s a serious issue that needs addressing.
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