§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to improve security for staff working in accident and emergency departments. [88340]
§ Mr. DenhamWe have initiated the biggest programme of capital investment in accident and emergency services in the history of the National Health Service (a total of £115 million in three quarters of all Accident and Emergency departments). This money should ensure that patients are treated more quickly, more effectively and with greater privacy than ever before, and create safer working conditions for staff.
Tackling violence against staff is a priority area for action. A key objective is that each local employer will, by April 2000, have systems in place to record and monitor the incidents of workplace violence and have published strategies in place to achieve a reduction.
The NHS Executive is also working on a cross-government drive to reduce the incidences of violence against staff. The campaign, which has the support of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Office, my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor and my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General. The campaign will be backed up by national guidelines for action including prevention, prosecution, sentencing, good practice and challenging targets. The over-arching message of this campaign will be that violence against staff is unacceptable and that the Government are determined to stamp it out.