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19 October 2005 - Hand to Hand Combat
Training for Glasgow Nurses
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Greater Glasgow's National Health Service have launched an
initiative in which nurses will be trained in hand-to-hand combat skills, as
part of the UK's first zero tolerance campaign, against patients who become
violent whilst in the care of NHS workers.
The zero tolerance initiative extends to doctors, who will be
able to refuse treatment of disruptive patients in hospitals, GP surgeries and
clinics.
Every day, medical professionals in Greater Glasgow have to
contend with 20 violent incidents from patients, friends of patients or
relatives.
Physical and verbal abuse records, from April 2004 to March
2005, show a staggering 8,166 episodes of aggression towards nurses and doctors,
of which more than three quarters relate to physical violence.
The strategy Violence and Aggression: A targeted
response, will include NHS staff training on how to defend themselves if
attacked and how to defuse situations by means of psychological ploys.
Seminars lasting up to 5 days will provide the necessary instruction required.
Persistent trouble makers who are either high on drink or drugs
will be "red-carded" after a "yellow card" warning letter has been sent to their
homes.
Mr. Jim Cameron, Director of Human Resources for Glasgow Acute
Hospitals, and Chair of the Violence and Aggression Steering Committee, said:
"We are the first authority to implement a strategy that will
'yellow card' offenders and, in if need be, 'red card' them.
"It will include training for staff in high-risk conflict management. Physical
self-defence will be part of it."
Irene O'Neill, of the Independent Federation of Nurses
commented:
"Nurses are stabbed, punched and kicked, but I can't remember
a successful prosecution.
"It is fine to say, 'We won't treat you' but the problem might be pushed on to
someone else. We also have to be careful about turning people away who might be
seriously ill. It has to be carefully monitored."
Nanette Milne, MSP, Conservative spokeswoman on health said:
"I think it is worth a try to see if it can work. For nurses
and medical staff to be able to defend themselves in a tense situation is also
worth a try.
"There's no doubt the traditional Saturday-night drunk has been joined by more
people causing problems and it is unacceptable that nursing staff are subjected
to abuse and violence. But clearly this has to be balanced against medical
needs.
"We wouldn't want anyone sent home who required urgent medical treatment. It
will have to be carefully assessed."
Professor Sir John Arbuthnott, Chair of NHSGG said:
"Our evidence shows incidents of violent and aggressive abuse
is a serious factor for healthcare workers in hospitals and communities.
"This is unacceptable, and NHSGG is committed to reducing and deterring
incidents as well as ensuring staff are trained to deal with situations when
they do arise.
"Emergency patients will not be refused treatment, along with those who are
deemed unable to take responsibility for their actions, such as those with a
learning disability or head injury.
"And each case will be reviewed every time the patient returns for treatment."
Dr Phil Munro, working as an accident and emergency consultant
for 12 years, in Glasgow's Southern General Hospital said:
"I've been throttled and bitten. My staff have been grabbed,
punched, kicked and thrown against furniture. It's an appalling situation and
medical staff must be protected.
"There are cases every year where staff require hospital treatment as a result.
"Alcohol and, to a lesser extent, drugs are the big factors.
"There is always more we, as health professionals, can do. We can be unfailingly
polite; we can give information and we can ensure that we do not discriminate
against the patients who have that 'difficult to like' factor.
"The new policy is helpful to us because it is clear, pragmatic and based on
common sense."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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