Zero tolerance message from hospital trust

22 December 2003

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.

Following the work of the Zero Tolerance campaign the awareness of violence has been considerably heightened in the NHS.  Reports of violent incidents – ranging from verbal abuse to serious injury – have increased from 65,000 in 1989/99 to 115,000 in 2003/03.

“Unfortunately over Christmas and New Year it is usually only a small number  of people who cause a problem for staff,” said Jenny Saunders, Occupational Health Manager.

“We wish to make 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.

Panic alarms are located 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.

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