UNISON wants action on NHS violence

Public services union UNISON in Scotland is calling for the introduction of a "yellow and red card" warning system to members of the public who constantly abuse NHS staff. These warnings could lead to the banning of individuals from NHS premises.

This is one of four measures the union would like to see introduced to help reduce violence against health workers. The others are:

* the issuing of a staff charter jointly with the Scottish health minister reminding the public that it is not part of an NHS worker's job to be physically or verbally abused at work;

* the standardisation of the definition, recording and follow-up of violent or potentially violent incidents involving NHS staff; and

* an agreed training course for all NHS staff on the management of violence or potentially violent incidents .