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'Champion' to tackle NHS violence 'Champion' to tackle NHS violence
(about 5 hours later)
A former senior police officer has been appointed by Health Minister Edwina Hart to drive forward measures to protect NHS staff from violence. A former senior police officer has been appointed to drive forward protection for NHS staff in Wales from violence.
David Francis will act as a "champion" on the matter and will help to implement measures including police patrols, more CCTV and staff training. David Francis, a former south Wales deputy chief constable, will act as a "champion" to help implement such measures as police patrols.
An assembly government-commissioned report has made the recommendations which are currently being costed. There will also be more CCTV and staff training after a report by the assembly government made the recommendations, which are being costed.
Unions praised the assembly government for accepting the recommendations.Unions praised the assembly government for accepting the recommendations.
Mr Francis is the chair of Cwm Taf NHS Trust and the former Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales Police. The new role for Mr Francis, who is the chair of Cwm Taf NHS Trust, will see him lead on the development of a publicity strategy to ensure NHS staff know what is being done to address the issue, said Health Minister Edwina Hart.
His new role will see him lead on the development of a publicity strategy to ensure NHS staff know what is being done to address the issue, said Ms Hart. More than 20 NHS staff in Wales complain of physical or mental abuse in a typical day.
He has been appointed after it was found that more than 20 NHS staff in Wales complain of physical or mental abuse in a typical day.
The report, which was prepared by a group consisting of representatives from healthcare unions, also recommended that NHS trusts ensure they work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the effective prosecution of violent people.The report, which was prepared by a group consisting of representatives from healthcare unions, also recommended that NHS trusts ensure they work with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the effective prosecution of violent people.
Violent attacks and aggressive behaviour towards NHS staff has become a blight upon the provision on health services Richard Jones, Royal College of Nursing WalesViolent attacks and aggressive behaviour towards NHS staff has become a blight upon the provision on health services Richard Jones, Royal College of Nursing Wales
Employers must encourage and support victims of attacks to act as witnesses in prosecutions, said the report.Employers must encourage and support victims of attacks to act as witnesses in prosecutions, said the report.
Staff should also have free access to solicitors to pursue prosecutions and the recovery of additional costs incurred resulting from violent acts at work, it said.Staff should also have free access to solicitors to pursue prosecutions and the recovery of additional costs incurred resulting from violent acts at work, it said.
Ms Hart said work was underway on costing and prioritising the recommendations.Ms Hart said work was underway on costing and prioritising the recommendations.
"When this work has been done we will publish a detailed plan which will show staff exactly what actions we will be taking over the next few years to tackle violence and aggression against NHS staff," she said."When this work has been done we will publish a detailed plan which will show staff exactly what actions we will be taking over the next few years to tackle violence and aggression against NHS staff," she said.
Mr Francis has been appointed the all-Wales violence and aggression champion because of his experience in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, she said.Mr Francis has been appointed the all-Wales violence and aggression champion because of his experience in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, she said.
"I believe he has the right skills from both the police and health services to take forward these extremely important recommendations to make a real difference for staff and patients," added Ms Hart."I believe he has the right skills from both the police and health services to take forward these extremely important recommendations to make a real difference for staff and patients," added Ms Hart.
'Strong message''Strong message'
Richard Jones, interim director of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales, said : "Violent attacks and aggressive behaviour towards NHS staff has become a blight upon the provision on health services. Richard Jones, interim director of Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Wales, said: "Violent attacks and aggressive behaviour towards NHS staff has become a blight upon the provision on health services.
"We welcome this strong message from the Welsh Assembly Government that it will no longer be tolerated and that staff will be protected and supported to pursue prosecutions.""We welcome this strong message from the Welsh Assembly Government that it will no longer be tolerated and that staff will be protected and supported to pursue prosecutions."
Derek Walker from Wales TUC said: "That the assembly government has fully accepted the recommendations is a testament to all the parties involved and trade unions will be continuing to work with key partners to see the measures outlined in the report are implemented effectively." Derek Walker of the Wales TUC said: "That the assembly government has fully accepted the recommendations is a testament to all the parties involved and trade unions will be continuing to work with key partners to see the measures outlined in the report are implemented effectively."
The move comes two months after Welsh ministers rejected the chance to extend a new law which would have given Welsh NHS staff extra legal protection from violence and abuse.The move comes two months after Welsh ministers rejected the chance to extend a new law which would have given Welsh NHS staff extra legal protection from violence and abuse.
At the time the assembly government said it was developing its own policies.At the time the assembly government said it was developing its own policies.