Minister launches campaign to counter attacks on health workers

Health Minister Angela Smith has launched a scathing attack on individuals who attack health and social workers.

The Minister was commenting as she launched a new campaign to tackle the growing problem of violence and intimidation against staff.

Mrs Smith, who revealed that in one year alone, more than 6,000 staff suffered violent attack or abuse, said the new campaign was designed to get the message across that violent attacks on staff, whether verbal or physical, will not be tolerated.

Launching the campaign the Minister said: “Staff who work in the Health and Personal Social Services are skilled and dedicated people who spend their working lives caring for others. Yet too many are the victims of violence and intimidation.

“Staff have not only to suffer the serious consequences of actual physical attacks, but also the fear and anxiety caused by threats and intimidation. This is totally unacceptable. Incidents of violence will be reported to the Police and any person committing acts of violence against staff can expect to face prosecution.

The Minister said that she recognised that Health and Personal Social Services employers generally adopted a very responsible attitude towards the safety of staff and commended examples of good practice.

“I cannot emphasise enough the importance which the Department attaches to this issue and my determination to take a firm line," she continued. "My Department will be closely monitoring the number of incidents involving violence against staff and will expect employers not only to continue to take reasonable precautions to protect staff, but to actively support any member of staff who has been subjected to one of these disgraceful incidents.”

The new campaign will include posters and radio adverts which make the point that the Police will be called if a member of staff is harassed or assaulted, and that the perpetrators could face a prison sentence. It aims to reassure staff working in the Health and Personal Social Services sector that the Department is committed to tackling such behaviour and reinforces the message that violence against staff is a crime which will be reported to the Police.

(MB)