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Campaign launched to stop hospital attacks
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| A campaign billboard is unveiled |
A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Kent to help stop abuse and violence towards NHS staff.
The Your Choice of Treatment initiative will target abusive and violent patients and is designed to warn them that an assault on an NHS member of staff can lead to prosecution and a prison sentence.
Last year 21 employees at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust were physically assaulted and although these are the lowest figures for Kent, the trust's local security management specialist (LSMS), Don Stoute, says the scheme is vital.
He said: "The attacks on staff members vary from loud people who are verbally abusive to those who physically smack or kick staff who are trying to help them.
"It is totally unacceptable and this campaign will hopefully get the message across that we won't stand for it. It has been launched around Kent and will eventually extend to the whole country."
Giant billboards are this week being put up in the Bluewater Shopping Centre, at Gravesend Football Club in Stonebridge Road, and in Victoria Road, Dartford.
A 20ft mobile billboard is also touring the county while posters are being displayed on train platforms, in the toilets of pubs and clubs, and in the most populated areas of Darent Valley Hospital.
In 2003 LSMSs were introduced to the NHS. They work with the police and staff members to investigate incidents of violence and to assist with prosecutions.
They also train staff how to deal with violent and aggressive patients. More than 9,000 Kent staff have so far been trained.
2:25pm Friday 28th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Jade, N/Fleet on 1:34pm Sun 30 Mar 08
I bet a lot of violent and agressive patients are under the influence of alcohol at the time of conflict! Also the stringent rules and a few staff with a bullish, jobsworth attitude are probably a factor too. My father was really upset and angry with the 'mixed ward' scenario. We had a woman, perhaps unwittingly, exposing herself right opposite male patients! It can be a tense environment!
I bet a lot of violent and agressive patients are under the influence of alcohol at the time of conflict! Also the stringent rules and a few staff with a bullish, jobsworth attitude are probably a factor too. My father was really upset and angry with the 'mixed ward' scenario. We had a woman, perhaps unwittingly, exposing herself right opposite male patients! It can be a tense environment!
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