Health written question – answered at on 21 June 2005.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prosecutions for violence against the staff of NHS trusts have been taken out in each year since 2003; and what targets have been set by her Department to increase the number of incidents where the perpetrators are prosecuted.
Information relating to the number of prosecutions for those who have physically assaulted national health service staff was not collated systematically prior to 2004–05, when the NHS security management service (SMS) introduced a national reporting system for physical assaults.
In 2002–03, there were 51 prosecutions against those who had assaulted NHS staff who could be identified by a Department of Health survey of NHS health bodies. Information relating to the number of successful prosecutions obtained against those who have physically assaulted NHS staff for 2004–05 will be available shortly.
No targets for increasing the number of prosecutions obtained against those who assault NHS staff have been set. A developing network of local security management specialists across the NHS, supported by the SMS, will provide stronger local liaison with the police and the Crown Prosecution Service and ensure that all incidents of violence against staff are properly investigated and prosecuted, where that is appropriate and in the public interest.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Chief Police Officers will be agreed by autumn this year. This will ensure that the responsibilities, in relation to tackling violence, of health bodies, the SMS and the police are clearly defined.
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