McGimpsey launches zero tolerance campaign leaflet

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey today launched a leaflet aimed at reducing attacks on healthcare staff.

The pamphlet, produced in conjunction with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), is part of the department’s Zero Tolerance campaign and will be distributed with all domestic rates bills next month.

Speaking at the launch at the Ulster Hospital's Accident & Emergency Department, the Minister said: “Unfortunately our healthcare staff are still exposed to abuse on a daily basis, this is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

"I wish to reinforce the message of zero tolerance: zero tolerance on attacks; zero tolerance on abuse; and zero tolerance on threatening behaviour.

"That is why this leaflet is being sent out to the general public, because it is everyone's responsibility to ensure that people dedicated to caring for the community receive the respect they deserve, and are allowed to do their duties free from abuse."

He added: “Where healthcare staff have been subjected to violent attack or verbal abuse, we must ensure that they are supported fully. We must also ensure that the perpetrators of such disgraceful acts should be in no doubt that they will face the full rigours of the law.”

PSNI Assistant Chief Constable, Duncan McCausland, said: “We welcome the opportunity to be able to support this campaign, as we do all initiatives aimed at reducing violence and aggression against healthcare staff.

“Anti-social behaviour in hospitals and attacks on healthcare workers is an issue that police are aware of and are working hard to solve, but it is not an issue that can be solved by policing alone.

“Investing in making workplaces safer and more secure, clamping down on those who display violent or threatening behaviour, and backing staff who want to report violent incidents, are all steps which have been taken as part of this initiative to address this issue.

“While we hope this campaign will contribute to the development of a zero tolerance culture, we will continue to work with each of our partner agencies and will use all available powers to reduce and prevent this totally unacceptable behaviour.

Notes to Editors:

• Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey launched a Zero Tolerance Campaign on 27 June 2007 at Belfast City Hospital to raise public awareness of the issue.
• From September 2007, all Health and Social Care (HSC) employers have had ZeroTolerance policies in place. A senior director with accountability for staff safety has been nominated within each HSC organisation. Over 12,000 free personal alarms have been issued to HSC staff.
• The table below shows reported Incidents of Verbal and Physical Assaults on Staff 1 April-31 March 2008:

Belfast Trust: Verbal: 580, Physical: 1,372, Total: 1,952

Southern Trust: Verbal: 320,Physical: 385, Total: 705

South Eastern Trust: Verbal: 199 Physical: 1,017, Total: 1,216

Northern Trust: Verbal: 331 Physical: 889, Total: 1,220

Western Trust: Verbal: 272 Physical: 618, Total: 890

NI Ambulance Service: Verbal: 56 Physical: 82, Total: 138

• Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.