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27/06/2007
Zero Tolerance campaign to support medical staff
An awareness campaign has been launched today, to reinforce the message that attacks against healthcare staff will not be tolerated.
The Zero Tolerance campaign will be promoted through a public awareness campaign on radio and adshels, as well as notices being displayed in hospitals, health centres and GP practices.
All Health and Social Care staff will also receive a Zero Tolerence leaflet providing advice on how to deal with an attack. They are also encouraged to wear a badge reinforcing the message that they will not tolerate any form of abuse.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, launched the campaign. He said: “In the past year alone, there have been around 6,000 cases of abuse against healthcare staff – that is an increase of over 6% from last year. 140 of these attacks were against ambulance staff, 107 were against doctors and an alarming 3,377 were against nurses. These are alarming statistics. Any form of attack is inexcusable, and totally unacceptable.”
The Minister also said he was launching the campaign to clearly spell out the message of Zero Tolerance.
“I am alerting the public that it is not, nor was it ever, acceptable to attack healthcare staff. I am also saying to staff to report all incidents. You will be fully supported by your employer,” he said.
The Accident and Emergency Pilot based at Belfast City Hospital was also praised. Mr McGimpsey said: “Evidence has shown that the PSNI presence in the A&E of Belfast City Hospital, not only resulted in the number of incidents being reduced by 33% but that staff and service users felt safer and reassured by their presence.
“I can therefore also announce today that, with the goodwill of the PSNI, the pilot will be extended to January 2008.”
(JM)
The Zero Tolerance campaign will be promoted through a public awareness campaign on radio and adshels, as well as notices being displayed in hospitals, health centres and GP practices.
All Health and Social Care staff will also receive a Zero Tolerence leaflet providing advice on how to deal with an attack. They are also encouraged to wear a badge reinforcing the message that they will not tolerate any form of abuse.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey, launched the campaign. He said: “In the past year alone, there have been around 6,000 cases of abuse against healthcare staff – that is an increase of over 6% from last year. 140 of these attacks were against ambulance staff, 107 were against doctors and an alarming 3,377 were against nurses. These are alarming statistics. Any form of attack is inexcusable, and totally unacceptable.”
The Minister also said he was launching the campaign to clearly spell out the message of Zero Tolerance.
“I am alerting the public that it is not, nor was it ever, acceptable to attack healthcare staff. I am also saying to staff to report all incidents. You will be fully supported by your employer,” he said.
The Accident and Emergency Pilot based at Belfast City Hospital was also praised. Mr McGimpsey said: “Evidence has shown that the PSNI presence in the A&E of Belfast City Hospital, not only resulted in the number of incidents being reduced by 33% but that staff and service users felt safer and reassured by their presence.
“I can therefore also announce today that, with the goodwill of the PSNI, the pilot will be extended to January 2008.”
(JM)
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