Wes Streeting promises 'zero tolerance' to violence against NHS staff in key speech

Wes Streeting today commits to combating violence and aggression against frontline staff - promising "zero tolerance".

The Health Secretary will say "no one should go to work fearing violence" as he addresses Unison union's annual conference in Liverpool. The Department for Health and Social Care has warned violence against NHS staff has become a "critical issue" with incidents reaching alarming levels.

Referring to a survey last year, the department added one in seven had said they have experienced violence from patients, their relatives, or other members of the public. In January it was also reported Violent patients have been costing the NHS around £165,000 a week in compensation to traumatised staff.

Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Streeting will say new measures will be put in place to encourage staff to report incidents of violence and aggression.

Data will also be collected at a national level to examine whether certain staff members face higher risks due to race, gender or disability. DHSC said the measures are part of recommendations accepted by ministers under the Agenda for Change contract - covering over a million NHS workers.

Mr Streeting will say: “No one should go to work fearing violence. Yet one in every seven people employed by the NHS have suffered violence at the hands of patients, their relatives, or other members of the public."

He will add: “Protecting staff from violence is not an optional extra. Zero tolerance for violence and harassment of NHS staff. It's a commitment to make sure healthcare workers can focus on saving lives without fear for their own safety. I owe my life to the NHS staff who cared for me through kidney cancer. I owe a debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay, but I certainly intend to try. You were there for me, and I'll be there for you."

It came as Unison boss Christina McAnea said fixing the NHS must include resolving health staff pay after a “ludicrous” 2.8% offer. At the union’s health conference in Liverpool, she said: “There’s no route to fixing the NHS that doesn’t first involve sorting health workers’ pay.” She added: “Ministers said last year 2.8% was all the government could afford, but that won’t encourage experienced staff to stay in the NHS, nor will it be enough to persuade new recruits to join.

"Unison will soon be asking NHS workers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland how far they'd be prepared to go over this year's pay rise, when it finally comes. Staff need a decent pay rise on time. Ministers must show they're different from what's gone before and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. Health workers expect better from .

"Ministers could take a leaf out of the Scottish Government's book. An above-inflation, two-year pay offer has been put to health unions. This includes a guarantee that NHS staff in would get 1% more than inflation should that go up. Direct talks have delivered this offer. Something a painfully slow pay review body process hasn't been able to do."

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