One in 10 NHS staff attacked

NHS staff in Black Country and Staffordshire hospitals feel unsafe from attack, feel undervalued and are working more hours than they should, a survey today reveals.

More than one in 10 staff have been violently assaulted by patients or their relatives, according to the study carried out by the Healthcare Commission. The survey found scores of NHS workers were attacked by the very people they were trying to help. Paramedics are under constant risk of attack, with 31 per cent of staff reporting cases of assault by patients.

Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust posted the highest percentage of staff attacks by patients in West Midlands hospitals at 15 per cent.

The survey also revealed that despite staff witnessing potentially harmful errors, near misses and incidents, some were going unreported. The independent watchdog admitted the findings highlighted the "challenges to making the NHS a better place to work".

Responses were received from 155,922 staff from all 391 NHS trusts in England.

Results for Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust showed 73 per cent of staff were working longer than the hours for which they are contracted. Staff across the region said they were not getting eno-ugh support, guidance and feedback from managers.

The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust had among the lowest scores for job satisfaction, while Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust also had one of the highest scores for those considering leaving the NHS.

Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust staff highlighted the struggle in finding a work-life balance. Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust had among the lowest percentages for reporting errors, while Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust had among the highest.

Anna Walker, the Commission's chief executive, said more needed to be done to tackle the violence health workers experienced.