We don't have to take this: dealing with violence at work

Abstract

The Health and Safety Executive has identified nursing as the most hazardous occupation in the United Kingdom. Nurses are more likely to be on the receiving end of violence than policemen (HSC 1997); violence remains constant for employees in healthcare. Most days there are news reports of violent incidents being perpetrated against nurses, doctors or other NHS staff. If such incidents are not dealt with adequately, the consequences can be devastating, not only in terms of physical injury to the victim, or psychological trauma as a result of verbal abuse, but in terms of morale and staff performance. As they come face to face with violence, nurses may feel increasingly isolated, unsupported and uncared for. This workbook aims to provide clear guidelines for assessing the risk and dealing with the hazard of violence for managers and nurses. The menace of violence in healthcare may never be eliminated completely, but there are things that can be done to manage, and therefore reduce the problem.