§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to protect medical staff in Northern Ireland from violent attacks. [137800]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is concerned about violent attacks against all staff working in the Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) and regards such incidents as totally unacceptable.
Guidance, recommending the successful NHS initiative, "Zero Tolerance", was issued to Employing Authorities in the HPSS in February 2000 and the 375W Department set up a working group in February 2002 to examine the current arrangements for reducing the potential risks of violence against HPSS staff. The group reported in December 2002. After a period of consultation the Department issued further guidance and a final report to HPSS employers in September 2003. The Department has made the report available on the HPSS Extranet and has encouraged employers to share its contents widely with Professional Directors and those Directors responsible for programmes of care and facilities where staff may be exposed to risk with a view to reducing the risk of violence to all HPSS staff.