Clampdown on violent hospital patients

10:53am Sunday 9th March 2008

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VIOLENT patients who attack paramedics will face the full force of the law.

North-west Ambulance Service has signed an agreement with police and prosecutors to ensure anyone who is violent or aggressive towards NHS staff is prosecuted.

Ambulance service area director Delwyn Wray said: "We are thrilled we finally have a protocol in place to prove to staff we will not tolerate them suffering at the hands of mindless individuals while they are trying to carry out their jobs.

"Our paramedics and technicians save lives on a daily basis and it is saddening they are being subjected to violence and abuse."

Attacks on ambulance staff in Greater Manchester have soared by more than 13 per cent in 12 months.

In the year to April, 2007, there were 412 incidents, compared to 364 in the previous 12 months.

The protocol was launched at the service's headquarters in Ladybridge Hall in Chorley New Road, Heaton.

It is hoped the partnership with the Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester Police will help to fast-track cases of violence against paramedics.

Ambulance bosses have pledged to report incidents as early as possible and to help police with their investigations.

Chief Crown prosecutor John Holt said: "We are keen to clamp down on the number of assaults NHS staff are faced with. It is totally unacceptable.

"This protocol allows us to act in partnership to ensure, where appropriate, that individuals responsible for such acts of violence or aggression will face appropriate sanctions."

Assistant Chief Constable Rob Taylor said: "GMP will take robust action against anyone who believes it is acceptable to attack NHS staff.

"This behaviour should not, and will not, be tolerated."

It is not the first effort to cut the number of attacks against NHS staff in Bolton.

Between November, 2006, and February last year, a pilot scheme saw police drafted in at Royal Bolton Hospital.

It resulted in seven people being referred to police and two £80 on-the-spot fines being issued by officers.