Violence against nurses: are tougher penalties the answer?

The new law and personal protection devices for lone workers are a step in the right direction, say experts

In emergency departments, mental health wards and in the community, nurses go to work every day at risk of assault by those they care for.

Now a new law promises to increase the penalty for any attacker.

The Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Bill, which will come into effect in England and Wales in November, has been hailed a significant step forward by the RCN, whose members have campaigned for the change.

• RELATED: Change in the law means longer prison sentences for people who assault nursing staff

The act will double from six to 12 months the maximum prison sentence for anyone who assaults an emergency worker, which includes NHS nurses.