Hospital staff get a say against attackers

In a first for the region, the Crown Prosecution Service has produced a “community impact statement” with the help of Hull Royal Infirmary (HRI) and police to detail the impact crimes have on patients and staff.

The statement – similar to one used on behalf of victims to detail the impact a crime has had on them – can be read out in court by the prosecution. Although crime has dropped 50 per cent at the hospital, in 2012/2013 there were 148 incidents of physical violence against staff and 127 “non physical” including verbal abuse.

The hospital says the department’s new layout has helped and anti-social behaviour orders issued by police now incorporate the HRI.

Community team prosecutor Yvette Levy said: “We all know that staff in emergency departments have to cope with a lot, often treating people who are drunk or aggressive or both. Staff have been spat at, bitten, punched and kicked. Each day around 400 patients pass through the department often bringing with them concerned friends and relatives.

“This is a challenging and complex environment with patients who might be in a vulnerable, confused or traumatising situation and the impact a crime committed in this environment could be considerable.

“This is a lot for medical and nursing staff to manage whilst trying to administer treatment and care so it’s essential that they feel supported by the criminal justice system. The CIS which can be used in relation to any offence committed in the department explains how crime diverts staff away from patients and putting their own safety and the safety of their patients at risk.

“By highlighting the impact of the crimes in this way staff and patients can be confident their collective voice will be heard ad the offender will be properly prosecuted.”

The nurse director for Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Steve Jessop, said the CIS “will help to show the true impact of their disruption, and hopefully secure more stringent punishments for offenders”.