Fresh approach has made health workers safer at Dorset HealthCare

The number of recorded assaults across Dorset HealthCare has more than halved over the past four years – the biggest reduction at any NHS organisation in the country.

A total of 433 violent incidents were reported across the Trust during 2015/16, compared to 1,100 back in 2011/12, which marks a fall of more than 60 per cent.

During the same period, the number of physical assaults reported against NHS staff nationally actually increased by almost 19 per cent.

Dorset HealthCare provides community care and mental health services from 345 sites across Dorset including 12 community hospitals, and employs around 6,200 staff.

The Trust’s security team, Security and Fraud Experts (SAFE), tackled the issue by identifying problem areas and examining the factors that led to attacks by patients or members of the public.

It set up a security advisory group which meets every two months to analyse incident reports, looking at sites where the most incidents occur, persistent aggressors and the possible causes of violent behaviour.

The team has also carried out a review of lone working arrangements, introduced new staff training programmes and set up regular liaison meetings with Dorset Police.

This approach has proved extremely fruitful and Roger Ringham, head of SAFE, said: “We are really pleased that we have been able to make significant reductions in assaults against staff. Violence against staff is simply unacceptable, however we realise there is still work to be done.

“Although the majority of cases that arise can be dealt with by other means, we want to make it clear that violence against staff will not be tolerated and we will prosecute if necessary.”