Hundreds of acts of violence against NHS staff in Blackpool

Calls have been made for a zero-tolerance approach to assault against NHS workers after hundreds of incidents of violence were reported at a trust during 2023/24.

The figures, which formed part of a report presented to a Blackpool University Hospitals board meeting, showed the incidents included both verbal and physical assaults.

Of the total 456 incidents reported, 279 were physical attacks on staff and 177 incidents were verbal attacks.

Board chairman James Wilkie said the number was “a lot” and questioned whether other hospital trusts had the same number of incidents with their staff.

He said: “Are the approaches we have put in place satisfactory because this is something we really need to have zero tolerance for in terms of our engagement with staff who work for us in very difficult circumstances at times?”

He asked for more reporting on the issue so the board could help the Trust resolve the issue.

Angela Parfitt, deputy director of quality governance at Blackpool University Hospitals, said there had been national recognition that there had been an increase “in terms of violence and aggression within the NHS”.

He added: “For us we have a more challenging demographic, so we are taller, but that reflects that, so we have to keep that balance in context.”

He said the Trust’s health and safety committee was working around the sanctions to ensure there was consistency.

Training had also been offered to staff on how best to handle violence and aggression, which the report said had “improved staff confidence in conflict resolution techniques” and was “reducing the risk of verbal and physical aggression.” for the staff.”