Study: Training Helps Healthcare Staff with Increasing Workplace Violence

Tuesday, 23rd May 2006

An NHS survey undertaken during 2005 highlighted the fact that work-related violence is one of the most serious occupational hazards facing staff working in the healthcare sector with 12% of staff experiencing some level of physical violence from patients or relatives and almost 26% having to deal with bullying, harrassment or abuse.

A recent survey, conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) in 2006, has highlighted the concern that violence against nursing staff. Nursing staff are not the only victims: social care staff are just as vulnerable to such attacks; in the case of lone workers perhaps more so.

Research undertaken by the University of Nottingham, funded by the HSE and supported by numerous healthcare representatives, has, among other things, revealed that practical training given to healthcare staff has had a positive impact on how they deal with challenging and potentially aggressive situation sin the workplace. It hastens to add that this individual training must form part of a ‘bigger picture’ within an organisation, complementing and enhancing preventative systems and procedures which are already in place.

EDGE Services’ ‘Managing Violence & Aggression in the Workplace - Trainer’s Certificate’ course helps organisations to achieve effective standards in addition to providing them with the in-house resources to train their staff in the management of violence and aggression in the workplace.

Preventing all work-related violence may not be entirely possible but increasing protection of staff by giving them the skills and confidence to deal with violent situations safely and effectively is. Our next public ‘Managing Violence & Aggression in the Workplace Trainer’s Certificate’ course is due to run 11 – 14 July 2006, York. Appropriate training should be considered for all front-line staff and other health care workers: book your place today to help keep your staff safe.