NHS staff attacked

Violent attacks on hospital staff in Worcestershire, including Kidderminster, have prompted a review of security.

Fifty staff have already reported being abused or assaulted by patients or visitors at Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester since April.

And last year there were 100 incidents, including 12 physical attacks which left staff injured, at sites run by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

The figure has fallen compared with the previous year when there were 130 reports of abuse or assault.

Now a new bid is being made to make the county's hospitals safer.

Doctors, nurses, porters and other staff could be given training on how to negotiate with troublemakers to avoid violence.

Paul Graham, local security management specialist for the hospital trust, will be touring its sites talking to staff and patients about how security can be reviewed.

He works with the police to investigate security breaches, including violent attacks on hospital workers.

He underwent a five-week training programme at the NHS Security Management Service Training Centre.

A manual of guidelines to help staff who are attacked recommends use of technology such as CCTV and radio communications with training for staff in how to use it.

Alarm systems, such as movement sensors and personal attack buttons, are also recommended and it is suggested NHS frontline staff be trained in conflict.

Mr Graham said: "I am determined to keep the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust safe and secure for patients and staff.

"The NHS should be a safe place to work and be treated, not a place for anti-social and criminal activity."

The trust's efforts to increase security will come under spotlight next month with the launch of the national NHS Security Awareness Month.