Hospital staff get help over violence

Around 4,000 staff working at hospitals in Doncaster and Bassetlaw will undertake courses aimed at tackling violence and aggression.

Feedback from hospital workers suggests the problem is growing at the trust, with an increased number of staff claiming they have been subjected to anti-social behaviour at work.

The courses will teach them how to handle incidents involving aggressive and violent behaviour

Kerry Williams, who will be responsible for running the sessions, said: "The courses look at communication and behaviour as well as how legislation is used to protect employees.

"It will give staff an insight into recognising the early signs of violence and aggression through verbal and non-verbal communication.

"Rather than simply reacting to an incident after it has occurred, the courses aim to teach staff how to defuse potentially aggressive or violent incidents and prevent them from happening in the first place."

Joe Brayford, director of human resources at the hospitals, said: "The trust recognises how important it is that staff feel safe in their working environments.

"Violent behaviour not only affects staff members personally and directly, it affects the standard of the service we provide."