NHS Security Service joins forces with ACPO to fight attacks on staff

NHS Security Management Service (SMS) managing director Jim Gee has signalled the Government’s zero tolerance approach to violence against NHS staff by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) that requires both parties to driving down assaults and ensuring tougher punishments for all prosecuted offenders.

The Memorandum commits the police and the NHS to investigate every reported incidence of violence and abuse, put pressure on the Courts and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to ensure that offenders receive tougher sentencing and to only caution offenders following their arrest (and discuss the matter with the victim(s) of the alleged assault).

It follows on from a recent Royal College of Nursing plea for the police service and the CPS to address this issue “far more seriously” and “take positive steps” to ensure that offenders are prosecuted with stiff sentences.

Commenting on the new Memorandum, Jim Gee told SMT: “Although we have witnessed a fifteen-fold increase in the number of prosecutions for attacks on staff, history tells us that the Courts have been far too lenient on these crimes. Violence against NHS staff is an aggravating factor in assault charges, and that should mean stiffer sentences. It’s the responsibility of the NHS and the police service to make sure this is taken into account by our Courts of Law.”

Health minister Rosie Winterton added: “It’s totally wrong that so many of our hard-working doctors and nurses are subject to violence and verbal abuse while trying their best to treat needy patients. With one-in-22 NHS staff members now on the receiving end of such abuses, cracking down on this problem is a ‘must’”.

NHS SMS poll results published on 15 August revealed that 45% of all those individual members of the public surveyed believe those who are violent towards NHS staff should receive the toughest penalties. A further 13% suggested that individuals who attack the police should receive the harshest punishment.

The NOP World poll of 1,890 adults aged over 16 in England and Wales also revealed that 45% of respondents felt that all offenders should be jailed for assaults on NHS staff.