Ministers Must Crackdown on Hospital Violence

3.18.28pm GMT Mon 26th Feb 2007

Commenting on a report by the BBC Panorama programme revealing that violence against NHS staff is costing the taxpayer at least £100m a year, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:

"Ministers must act now to crack down on violence in hospitals.

"Proper training to deal with potential threats is essential. The spate of recent cutbacks in hospital training budgets, due to crippling deficits, is putting already over-burdened staff at serious risk.

"Police must take a more robust approach to cases of violence against staff. We need to look at whether enough cases are leading to criminal prosecution. This must be taken more seriously.

"Everyone entering a hospital must be 100% clear that violence against staff is never acceptable."