§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many alcohol-related assaults on staff have taken place in hospitals in England and Wales in each of the last three years. [134750]
243W
§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidents of drug-related assaults on staff were recorded in each of the past three years. [134957]
§ Mr. DenhamThe National Health Service Executive conducted a survey of violence in National Health Service trusts in England in 1998–99. The survey found that, on average, seven violent incidents were recorded each month per 1,000 staff. This is equivalent to approximately 65,000 violent incidents against NHS trust staff each year. The survey did not reveal the causes of violent incidents. This information will be held locally by individual National Health Service employers through local reporting procedures and identified through appropriate risk assessment measures. The information would be reflected in local prevention and reduction strategies. Details of the survey can be found in Health Service Circular 1999/229: 'Managing Violence, Accidents and Sickness Absence in the NHS', copies of which are available in the Library.