South Tyneside Hospital security increased after spate of North East attacks
Security measures have been increased to protect staff at South Tyneside Hospital.
Hospital security staff under threat of attack in South Tyneside have been given added protection after a spate of incidents led to a safety review.
Bosses have issued more hi-tech body-worn cameras to those on the frontline in A&E departments and other areas of operations.
They have also upped their game by highlighting to guards the conflict resolution training available to them so they can better learn how to de-escalate tensions.
Spate of North East attacks
Although their intervention is in response to several attacks on staff and patients at Sunderland Royal Hospital, the review and implementation covers South Tyneside District Hospital.
They say one incident involved a 51-year-old man with behaviour associated with alcohol withdrawal in ward B26, which cares for gastroenterology patients.
In a second incident, a healthcare assistant suffered lacerations and bruising to their body, leaving them needing treatment in the emergency medical admissions B20 ward.
Bosses have also confirmed three patients were recently assaulted in a hospital bay.
Such is the concern of managers at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust its Security Group promptly met to discuss what action could be taken in the short term for staff protection.
The dates of the attacks have not been confirmed but were highlighted by chief executive Ken Bremner at the trust’s most recent board meeting, on Thursday, Apri 2.
It prompted the security review which has led to the additional safety measures, which complements the trust’s existing zero tolerance stance on staff abuse, being put in place.
‘Safety of patients and staff is important’
Jim Charlton, fire safety and security manager, said: “No one comes to work to be subjected to abuse of any kind.
“The safety of our patients and staff is of paramount importance to us. Those in our care are here to be treated, recuperate and recover from their illness or injury.
“In the wake of these incidents both colleagues and those patients involved have been offered support.
“As a Trust, we make it clear that anyone who abuses our staff will face consequences, with each incident reviewed by our violence and aggression groups.
“This could be immediate removal, withdrawal of treatment, unless they are in a life-threatening situation, a formal warning, being banned from our sites and services or criminal prosecution.
“We also work alongside our colleagues from Northumbria Police, who we speak to regularly to discuss incidents.”