You are in > manchester.com  > News > 'One in two' mental health nurses attacked on wards

Health

'One in two' mental health nurses attacked on wards

13/02/2008

More than half of nurses on mental health wards have been physically assaulted at work, a comprehensive report said on Wednesday.

A joint audit from the Healthcare Commission and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) claims 46 per cent of nurses in wards for people of working age said they had been attacked.

The proportion of staff attacked in wards for older people rises to 64 per cent, the report says, while almost three-quarters of nurses on dementia wards revealed they have been assaulted by patients.

Staff told the commission and the RCP they had suffered fractures, dislocations and black eyes following patient attacks.

Today's report, compiled by studying records of 211 mental health units at 69 NHS trusts and independent organisations, says the impact of workplace violence upon healthcare staff, particularly nurses, is "constant and intolerable".

It calls on improvements to be made to staff protection on wards for older people and criticises the physical environments and activities on offer for the 30,000 mental health patients in England and Wales.

Dr Paul Lelliott of the RCP said psychiatric ward staff were the "unsung heroes" of mental healthcare.

"Their every working day is a challenge and this audit once again highlights the danger to their personal safety," he claimed.

"Despite this, ward staff continue to provide care to the most severely ill people in a professional and compassionate manner."

Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, added: "This audit reveals worrying levels of violence against nursing staff in mental health units, particularly on wards for people with disorders such as dementia.

"It is a testament to the commitment and compassion of nurses that such a high number of patients in their wards say they are treated with dignity and respect."