Violence in the NHS: why prevention and psychological care are as important as payouts

The measures needed to protect nursing staff from assaults at work

• Revealed: The personal and financial cost of violence against NHS staff
• New legal protections for health service employees who are assaulted at work
• Best practice examples of employers who are tackling the issue – and what to do if you are attacked

Nurses and other NHS staff who have been attacked at work have received compensation payouts totalling £20.4 million in England over the past three years.

While compensation may go some way to address the damage of assault, the RCN is urging employers to improve psychological support, and focus on preventing violence in the first place through better staffing and risk assessments.

Figures obtained by Nursing Standard from NHS Resolution for 2015-18 show the £20.4 million reflects 475 successful claims by staff