At least 300 staff at the health trust that runs the BRI and Bristol Children’s Hospital have suffered violence or aggression from patients in the last six months, it has been revealed. The problem has become so serious that bosses at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Trust (UHBW) have employed two victim support officers and are working with the police on 37 active criminal investigations, including 29 cases that are already being prosecuted.
UHBW says the number of victims could be much more because the 300 workers it has supported are only those who have come forward to report incidents. Chief people officer and deputy chief executive Emma Wood told a UHBW board meeting that it was “very unusual” for the organisation to take so many alleged perpetrators to court but that it was important that staff felt confident to report incidents knowing they would be taken seriously.
She said: “Incidents of verbal or physical abuse can have a devastating impact on the hardworking staff who experience them. We know that there will be occasions when patients become confused or stressed in unfamiliar environments which can lead to challenging behaviour – and staff are trained to deal with this. But there are also many incidents where people are simply abusive, and this is not ok.
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“To support colleagues who have been victims of violence or aggression at work, we have appointed two victim support officers, which is a new role. In the last six months, these officers have supported 300 members of staff and their work with local police has resulted in 37 active investigations, the majority of which are being progressed through the criminal justice system.”
Board chairwoman Jayne Mee told the meeting on Tuesday, April 18: “I’m so sorry to hear that our staff are subject to that because we have made some really good progress. It’s such a shame that is happening.” More than half of the incidents – 58 per cent – have taken place in the trust’s medicine division, which includes the Bristol Royal Infirmary emergency department.
This is followed by 17 per cent at Weston General Hospital, 11 per cent in the surgery division and six per cent in women’s and children’s services.
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