Hospital takes tough stance against patient violence

Death threats, physical abuse and racist slurs aimed at NHS workers has prompted one hospital to make it easier for staff to “red card” violent and abusive patients.

Aggressive patients or visitors could be banned from Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust for up to 12 months.

The trust has also started using a series of body cameras in a bid to curb violence and aggression towards health workers after cases at the East London/Essex trust have doubled in the last three years.

Trust workers have been punched, subject to racist slurs – including being told to “go back to the jungle” – and had their teeth broken by violent patients.

As a result, hospital bosses have launched a new campaign – ‘No Abuse, No Excuse’ – to reduce violence and aggression towards staff, which includes:

• The introduction of 60 body cameras for staff in areas such as A&E and frailty units.
• Easier policies to ban patients or visitors, with bans which can last for up to a year.
• An increased visibility of security staff.
• A “de-escalation” training course for trust employees.

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Source: Medscape, 26 February 2024