UNISON calls for legislation to protect NHS staff
Health service union UNISON is calling for tough new legislation to protect health service staff from assault and harsher punishment of offenders.
It warns that the problem is serious and incidences of violence become worse in the run up to Christmas and New Year.
Speaking today, the union’s general secretary Dave Prentis, said: “Most people can look forward to Christmas and the New Year but for NHS staff it is anything but peace on earth. Binge drinking, drugs, work and family tensions all take their toll and it’s hospital staff and paramedics who face the blows and the abuse.
“There are no excuses. It is shocking – staff are punched, kicked, spat at and abused, we have had members stabbed and threatened with knives and guns and all for doing their job, caring for the sick and injured.”
They are calling for assaults on staff members to be treated with the same severity as an attack on a police officer.
Mr Prentis argued: “The public knows that if they attack a police officer they are going to have the book thrown at them – UNISON would like to see the same tough treatment meted out to anyone found guilty of assaulting an NHS worker. Judges must impose sentences that reflect the crime.”
A similar bill has recently cleared the Scottish Parliament. The Emergency Workers Bill was passed yesterday and will make assaulting, obstructing or hindering someone providing an emergency service – or someone assisting an emergency worker in an emergency situation – a specific offence.
Scottish Public Service Reform Minister Tom McCabe, said: “People who deal with emergencies provide an invaluable service to our society, and should be able to go about their work without fear of attack or intimidation.
“That is why we brought forward this legislation. It is absolutely crucial that the dedicated frontline staff who deal with emergencies can carry out their jobs free from assault, obstruction or hindrance.
“The Emergency Workers Bill will allow courts to deal with such incidents as a specific offence carrying a maximum penalty of nine months in jail, a fine of £5,000 – or both. This new offence offers statutory protection to workers responding to an emergency, and those assisting them in doing so.
“It will allow courts to send out a powerful signal that we will not tolerate anything which prevents emergency workers going about their jobs.”
