Police, Crown Prosecution Service and NHS Wales join forces to protect NHS staff

Police, Crown Prosecution Service and NHS Wales join forces to refresh the Obligatory Responses to Violence in Healthcare to tackle incidents of violence & aggression in the workplace.

A collaboration meeting between all police forces, the CPS in Wales and NHS Wales was held today (30 May 2024), to build on the agreement between partners to reduce and respond to incidents where NHS Staff and other emergency workers experience violence and aggression at work.

Welsh Government has recently released an updated Welsh Health Circular, which outlines its commitment to Anti-Violence Collaborative Wales and the actions required of health bodies in NHS Wales. A link to the WHC can be found here: www.gov.wales/anti-violence-collaborative-obligatory-responses-document-whc2024024

The collaboration includes representatives from the Trade Unions and Staff Associations which represent NHS Staff.

Judith Paget, Director General Health, Social Care & Early Years Group /NHS Wales Chief Executive: “The safety of our staff who provide NHS Wales services, along with all service users who access its care and support, is of paramount importance. Whilst we must continue to work hard to prevent incidents, it is vitally important that when there is an incident, our staff and service users get the support they need and deserve. The work of Anti-Violence Collaborative Wales supports all our staff and service users to respond when an incident happens. Together with partner organisations, they are working to prevent future incidents and limit the number of incidents which do occur.”

Pam Kelly QPM, Chief Constable of Gwent Police, highlighted that “Any assault against an emergency worker is unacceptable. The very people who are there to help and save lives should be respected. Police will positively respond to support colleagues when they are faced with violence and aggression in the workplace and encouraged all emergency workers...especially those working in the NHS to report assaults and inappropriate behaviour."

Nicky Hughes, RCN Wales Associate Director of Nursing (Employment Relations): “The Anti-Violence Collaborative's efforts are crucial in ensuring that NHS staff, who dedicate their lives to serving the public, are protected from violence and aggression. The Re-Signing Event is a significant milestone. It celebrates the ongoing commitment of partners, including NHS Wales, the Crown Prosecution Service and the four Welsh police forces, to the 'Obligatory Responses to Violence in Healthcare' agreement. This collaboration, which includes representatives from trade unions and staff associations, is vital for the safety and well-being of all our health care professionals.”

Jonathan Webb, Head of Safety & Learning in the NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and Chair of Anti-Violence Collaborative Wales said: “I am delighted that the Anti-Violence Collaborative has been refreshed, and the strong partnership working for the benefit of all has been reinvigorated. The collaboration between the partner organisations will support our staff in dealing with incidents of violence & aggression.”

Victoria Goodwin, High Impact Service User Lead at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said “Unfortunately a small number of patients who access NHS Wales services do not act in an appropriate way. Violence, aggression, and sexualised behaviour can have a deep and long-lasting impact on staff and cause considerable disruption to services. The collaboration between the criminal justice sector and the NHS provides a positive framework to reduce the number of incidents”