§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the incidence of violent attacks on community nurses.
§ Mr. HayhoeI regret that data are not held centrally about the incidence of violent attacks on National Health Service staff in hospitals or in the community. The Government are concerned about the increase of violence towards NHS staff and a working party of the Health Services Advisory Committee is currently looking at this issue. They are conducting a survey in a sample of health districts and a full report is expected in the summer. Regional health authorities have, meanwhile, been asked to review the problem and the measures they are taking to combat it.
Much is already being done to improve staff safety and security. In addition to the existing health authorities' safety codes which are being continually reviewed, all health authorities were asked to develop security strategies and all have done so. A security manual published by the National Association of Health Authorities which provides detailed advice on all aspects of security was commended to health authorities in 1984.