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<p>National Health Service organisations are responsible for tackling abuse of staff
by patients and relatives of patients. They should have agreements in place with their
local police and Crown Prosecution Service to ensure appropriate action is taken against
perpetrators and they already have access to accredited security management specialists
as well as advice, guidance and good practice.</p><p>The Department, in delivering
the Government’s manifesto commitment to “…take vigorous and immediate action against
those who abuse or attack the people who work for and make our NHS” commissioned NHS
Improvement to work with NHS England on new central support arrangements to help NHS
organisations protect their staff from abuse. The Department expects their recommendations
soon. These are likely to include the need for Board level leadership to oversee the
recording of and dealing with incidents; ‘de-escalation’ training, development and
support for staff; creating environments that reduce the likelihood of abuse; raising
public awareness and a new collection of data on assaults and abuse.</p><p>The Department
announced that paramedics will be given body cameras to protect them from abuse. This
scheme will be piloted in North East and South East Coast Ambulance Services before
being rolled out.</p><p>The Government is also supporting the hon. Member for Rhondda’s
(Chris Bryant) Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill that will make assaults
against and abuse of ‘emergency workers’ across all public services an aggravated
offence. This is currently at Committee stage in its passage through Parliament.</p><p>
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