Nurses train other staff in self-defence

This type of training has become an unfortunately necessary factor in the working routine in recent years due to an upsurge of violent assaults against medical staff. A spokesman for the WHSCT confirmed to the Sentinel: "Recently a group of five nursing staff completed this training, which was a programme to equip them to train other staff.

"They have just recently put the skills learned into practice and are providing training to colleagues. These nurses are working in the area of mental health and there are plans to roll this training out to other areas including the Emergency Department and acute hospital wards."

The latest statistics from the WHSCT reveal that between October 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010, staff at three Trust facilities-Altnagelvin, Gransha and Lakeview were subjected to 171 instances of physical abuse and 119 instances of verbal abuse.

The training is part of a 'Zero Tolerance' campaign against attacks on staff implemented by the WHSCT and a spokesman for the Trust continued: "The campaign is aimed at reducing attacks on healthcare staff and it is clear in its position that any form of attack is unacceptable.

"Staff make strident efforts to provide high quality care to patients and they must be allowed to do so without the fear of violence or attack.

All too often the effects of alcohol and/or drug abuse impact negatively on staff endeavours to treat patients.

"To ensure the safety of its staff and patients/clients, the Western Trust has a number of measures in place including training for staff to deal with potentially aggressive and violent situations."