Tuesday 15 Jan 2008 @ 17:26
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Enhanced protection for NHS workers
Modifications to the Emergency Workers Act were approved by the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee today.
The Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the Act to enhance the protection provided to NHS staff and extend it to GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"I am delighted that the Justice Committee has approved the modification to the Emergency Workers Act.
"This fulfils the commitment from the Scottish Government to extend the Emergency Workers Act to enhance the protection provided to NHS staff and extend it to GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.
"We owe our NHS staff a huge debt of gratitude for the work they do on a daily basis sometimes in very challenging circumstances.
"Sadly there are a mindless minority who think it is acceptable to abuse and attack health workers ignoring the vital service they provide and the terrible impact this kind of behaviour can have on staff morale.
"We also acknowledge that there is still a problem with under reporting of this type of offence perhaps because historically staff felt that dealing with abuse, aggression and violence was part of the job in an emergency environment. Perhaps too it was felt that nothing could be done if a member of staff was spat at, kicked or abused in the course of their duties.
"In actual fact that is not the case, since the introduction of the Emergency Workers Act in 2005 it is clear that more NHS workers are being given a greater legal protection.
"I believe that the very positive figures about prosecutions and convictions will encourage staff to report cases of abuse or attack against them. We must send out a clear message to offenders that their actions are criminal and they could face prosecution.
"Since 2005 there has been 1256 charges laid under the Act, 80 per cent of these cases (1008) led to prosecution. Of those cases that have been concluded, 75 per cent (594) resulted in a conviction. There are currently 218 cases on-going.
"In relation to the specific charge to assault, obstruct or hinder a health worker, ambulance worker, or assistant to those workers on hospital premises there has been 552 charges laid. This has led to a prosecution of 466 cases which has so far resulted in 282 convictions or 60 per cent of cases.
"This extension to the Emergency Workers Act will provide additional protection for GPs, nurses and midwives working in the community and will send out a strong message that violence against any healthcare worker is unacceptable and will not go unpunished."
Related Informtion
The Scottish Government made a commitment to extend the Act to enhance the protection provided to NHS staff and extend it to GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison said:
"I am delighted that the Justice Committee has approved the modification to the Emergency Workers Act.
"This fulfils the commitment from the Scottish Government to extend the Emergency Workers Act to enhance the protection provided to NHS staff and extend it to GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.
"We owe our NHS staff a huge debt of gratitude for the work they do on a daily basis sometimes in very challenging circumstances.
"Sadly there are a mindless minority who think it is acceptable to abuse and attack health workers ignoring the vital service they provide and the terrible impact this kind of behaviour can have on staff morale.
"We also acknowledge that there is still a problem with under reporting of this type of offence perhaps because historically staff felt that dealing with abuse, aggression and violence was part of the job in an emergency environment. Perhaps too it was felt that nothing could be done if a member of staff was spat at, kicked or abused in the course of their duties.
"In actual fact that is not the case, since the introduction of the Emergency Workers Act in 2005 it is clear that more NHS workers are being given a greater legal protection.
"I believe that the very positive figures about prosecutions and convictions will encourage staff to report cases of abuse or attack against them. We must send out a clear message to offenders that their actions are criminal and they could face prosecution.
"Since 2005 there has been 1256 charges laid under the Act, 80 per cent of these cases (1008) led to prosecution. Of those cases that have been concluded, 75 per cent (594) resulted in a conviction. There are currently 218 cases on-going.
"In relation to the specific charge to assault, obstruct or hinder a health worker, ambulance worker, or assistant to those workers on hospital premises there has been 552 charges laid. This has led to a prosecution of 466 cases which has so far resulted in 282 convictions or 60 per cent of cases.
"This extension to the Emergency Workers Act will provide additional protection for GPs, nurses and midwives working in the community and will send out a strong message that violence against any healthcare worker is unacceptable and will not go unpunished."
Related Informtion
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/NHS-Scotland
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/acts2005/asp_20050002_en_1
