IN response to calls for security staff to be put in place at the South West Acute Hospital the Western Trust has said there are no plans to introduce such measures.
In a statement to this paper the Western Trust has said any form of attack or abuse of staff is “not acceptable”, but that there are no plans at present to introduce security staff at the hospital.
Instead portering staff will all have completed a special conflict resolution training course by March 2016.
A spokesman for the Western Trust said it was committed to a ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign which clearly states that any form of attack or abuse of staff is not acceptable.”
“No member of staff in any part of the Western area whether in hospital or community care settings, should be subjected to any form of attack or abuse.”
The Trust spokesman outlined the systems in place to protect staff.
“A Staff Attack alarm has been operational in the South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department, Medical Imaging Department since August 2015.
“All Portering staff have a security remit and have a base close to the Emergency Department from 10pm to 8am each day. Training is underway for all Portering staff and they will have completed a 1 day MAPA (Management of Actual and Potential Aggression) course by the end of March 2016.The Trust is concerned that any of their staff would experience any type of threatening behaviour in the course of their duty and would reiterate that this is not acceptable and firm action will always be taken in such incidents.”
The spokesman added: “Healthcare workers appreciate the support they receive from their patients and the public. No one wants to see attacks on Trust staff who are committed to providing high quality care and they must be allowed to carry out their role within a safe environment.”
Across all Trust facilities for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015 there has been a total of 1,216 recorded incidents of verbal and/or physical abuse towards Western Trust staff.
In relation to the South West Acute Hospital, for the period 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2015, there has been 76 recorded incidents of verbal and or physical abuse towards Trust staff.
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