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Hospital troublemakers face fines Hospital troublemakers face fines
(2 days later)
Drunken patients who abuse staff at a Greater Manchester hospital face on-the-spot fines in a bid to crackdown on yobs on its casualty ward.Drunken patients who abuse staff at a Greater Manchester hospital face on-the-spot fines in a bid to crackdown on yobs on its casualty ward.
The Royal Bolton Hospital has launched the initiative as part of a three-month pilot to curb misbehaviour.The Royal Bolton Hospital has launched the initiative as part of a three-month pilot to curb misbehaviour.
Offenders face £80 penalties, and being arrested, if they threaten staff or abuse them in the course of their duty.Offenders face £80 penalties, and being arrested, if they threaten staff or abuse them in the course of their duty.
Police patrols will also be stepped up in the accident and emergency (A&E) ward to help prevent trouble.Police patrols will also be stepped up in the accident and emergency (A&E) ward to help prevent trouble.
The pilot scheme is the first of its kind in England and follows a rise in anti-social behaviour towards staff in accident and emergency departments.The pilot scheme is the first of its kind in England and follows a rise in anti-social behaviour towards staff in accident and emergency departments.
Although more serious offences are dealt with by the police, this is the first joint NHS and police scheme where fixed penalty fines - already in use in town centres - will be used to deal with disruptive behaviour in hospital.Although more serious offences are dealt with by the police, this is the first joint NHS and police scheme where fixed penalty fines - already in use in town centres - will be used to deal with disruptive behaviour in hospital.
Spitting and swearingSpitting and swearing
Between April and September, 40 people were escorted from the Royal Bolton's A&E by security staff for unacceptable behaviour such as spitting, shouting, swearing, and being disruptive or abusive towards staff.Between April and September, 40 people were escorted from the Royal Bolton's A&E by security staff for unacceptable behaviour such as spitting, shouting, swearing, and being disruptive or abusive towards staff.
During the same period, A&E and security staff were verbally abused by 41 people.During the same period, A&E and security staff were verbally abused by 41 people.
Dr Richard Parris, consultant in accident and emergency medicine at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "Nobody should have to put up with this kind of behaviour in their workplace.Dr Richard Parris, consultant in accident and emergency medicine at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said: "Nobody should have to put up with this kind of behaviour in their workplace.
"It also causes distress for other patients and visitors in the department."It also causes distress for other patients and visitors in the department.
"Staff don't always report incidents of aggressive behaviour towards them - many feel it is part of the job - but this is unacceptable and it has to stop.""Staff don't always report incidents of aggressive behaviour towards them - many feel it is part of the job - but this is unacceptable and it has to stop."
Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E treats about 100,000 people every year, with between 300-320 patients every day.Royal Bolton Hospital's A&E treats about 100,000 people every year, with between 300-320 patients every day.
It is one of the busiest accident and emergency departments in the North West.It is one of the busiest accident and emergency departments in the North West.