Rising hospital assaults in the West Country

New figures released by the NHS, show that the majority of hospital staff in the West Country have an above average chance of being assaulted at work.

The figures also show that there has been a national increase in assaults against NHS staff rising from 59,744 to 63,199 since last year.

The figures only include assaults that could result in a criminal action and do not include cases were a medical element is involved in the case.

Royal Devon and Exeter NHS trust reported an above average level of assaults against their staff reporting 129 assaults against staff.

The figure varied around the county with the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust reporting 182 assaults against their staff in while South Devon Healthcare trust reported only 46.

The trusts were ranked nationally based on how assaults many occurred per 1000 staff to show the likelihood of assault against staff.

This measure saw the West Country based Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust was ranked as the UK’s 3rd most likely place to be assaulted, despite only 21 incidents, due to the Trusts far smaller staff.

Richard Hampton, Head of Local Support and Development Services at NHS Protect, said: "There is never any room for complacency when it comes to violence in the NHS. NHS Protect will continue to work closely with its partners to identify why assaults happen, provide practical tools to address threats and promote the prosecution of offenders wherever appropriate"

"Staff committed to providing our NHS should never be expected to suffer an assault at work and it will not be tolerated. NHS Protect urges employers to take firm action in all cases of assault against NHS staff."