Health staff to be protected from violence

Action to protect NHS staff from violent or abusive patients has been announced by the Department of Health and national guidance for trusts will be published later this year on withholding NHS treatment from violent patients.

Plans could include a football-style card warning system. A yellow card could be issued to patients who commit violent acts or make offensive gestures or threats and a red card for a second offence could see them denied treatment if their condition was not life-threatening.

Public services union UNISON, welcomed the plans. General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The red card scheme is a fresh and innovative approach to dealing with the unacceptable rise in violence against NHS staff."