BMA NI welcomes health fightback

The British Medical Association in Northern Ireland has welcomed Health Minister Angela Smith's announcement that the DHSSPS will no longer tolerate attacks on health care staff.

Commenting on yesterday's launch of the Department's campaign to tackle the problem of violence and intimidation against NHS staff, Dr Brian Patterson, Chairman of the BMA's NI Council, said: "We congratulate the Minister on this initiative. It comes at a time when we have almost reached the frightening stage where violence against health care staff is accepted as part of the job.

"The eradication of violence in the medical workplace is an issue upon which the BMA has long campaigned. Indeed the Association, in the autumn of last year, carried out its own survey on this subject, the results of which we made available to the DHSSPS. It's therefore encouraging to see this positive step forward today.

On Monday, the Health Minister launched a scathing attack on individuals who attack health and social workers.

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.

“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," she said.

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)