Zero tolerance message from hospital trust

8 December 2000

During the festive period the message from West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust is, have a healthy and enjoyable holiday but, if over indulgence results in a visit to hospital, please remember that violence and threatening behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated.

The trust has a Zero Tolerance policy in place to ensure that staff, who spend their lives caring for others, are not rewarded with intimidation and violence.

"Unfortunately over Christmas and New Year a small minority of people can be a problem for staff," said Jenny Saunders Occupational Health Manager.

“This year we are making sure that everyone is aware of the fact that we report all incidents of aggression to the police, and fully support staff and the police to successfully prosecute offenders," she said.

Over 140 staff have attended Suzy Lamplugh Personal Safety Awareness training which helps to raise awareness of potentially violent situations and improve skills in dealing with them. Staff also attend break away training at the town's leisure centre and there is special training for A& E staff.

Improved security was a priority in the £600,000 plans to modernise Accident and Emergency (A~E) and across the whole organisation.

Panic alarms have been installed in sensitive areas including A&E, Central Delivery Suite and the X-ray Department. The alarms are linked through to the police station, via the switchboard, and summon an immediate response.

A surveillance room has been sited in the new A&E waiting area to house CCTV screens and cassettes. More CCTV cameras are being installed in the hospital to monitor public areas. The room, which has a one way mirror, is also a base for local policemen, PC John Worby and PC David Dale, who are members of the trust's zero tolerance group.

Signs around the hospital inform patients and visitors that CCTV is in operation and that the police regularly patrol the site and buildings.