§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Burnley of 9 November,Official Report, column 88, he will ask for a report from each regional health authority on the numbers of attacks by members of the public on National Health Service employees in their hospitals for each of the last five years, giving in each case the nature of the employment of persons attacked.
§ Mrs. CurrieInformation is not available in the form requested.
We are naturally concerned that everything possible is done to ensure that all staff working in the health and 449W personal social services are protected against violence. Much good work is already being done by health authorities. Measures include employment of contract security staff, installation of closed circuit television, panic buttons, shriek alarms, two-way radios, improved lighting and decor and the introduction of professional nurse triage to reduce waiting times in accident and emergency departments.
However, it is often difficult for managers to monitor the situation and take effective preventive measures because, for a variety of reasons, not all incidents of violence are reported. The DHSS advisory committee on violence to staff, which under the chairmanship of my noble Friend, has been charged with pooling and disseminating knowledge and experience to ensure that measures taken to protect staff are as effective as possible, is considering reporting standards and systems which may be developed by managers in the light of local circumstances. The committee hopes to report to my right hon. Friend by early spring.