Causes of NHS assaults must be addressed, demand unions

Unions have welcomed a promise to crack down on violence against health workers, while warning that further action is needed.

Under a new agreement signed by the NHS Security Management Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers, the police are to investigate every reported incident of violence or abuse on NHS premises, and will put pressure on the courts "to ensure offenders receive tougher sentences".

The need for such an agreement was highlighted this summer by the case of paramedic Lynn Sutherland, who was assaulted while responding to a 999 call. Although she had to take six months off work as a result, her attacker was jailed for just 18 months in August.

Karen Jennings, head of health at UNISON public services union, said the agreement would "help staff to feel better protected", but added: "We also need to deal with the underlying causes. More must be done to tackle the growing problem of binge drinking, which is fuelling violence and exposing staff to attack."

Figures released earlier this year revealed that over 60,000 NHS staff were physically assaulted by patients and relatives last year (see Labour Research, July 2006).

Sheelagh Brewer, the Royal College of Nursing's employment relations advisor, described the agreement as "a step in the right direction", but said the real test would be how it translated into action.