Sticks and Stones May Break Bones but Names can Absolve the NHS of the Hippocratic Oath.
More than a quarter of NHS patients have reported being bullied, harassed or abused.
NHS staff can refuse to treat racist or sexist patients under new rules.
Skye News, 18 Feb 2020:
The NHS will soon bar discriminatory patients from non-critical care - powers that currently only cover aggression or violence.
More than a quarter of NHS patients have reported being bullied, harassed or abused.
But these protections will extend to any harassment, bullying or discrimination, including homophobic, sexist or racist remarks.
Ambulance workers are among those worst affected by abuse
Health Secretary Matt Hancock wrote to all NHS staff on Tuesday to announce stronger measures to investigate abuse and harassment towards staff, saying “no act of violence or abuse is minor”.
“Being assaulted or abused is not part of the job,” he said.
“Far too often I hear stories that the people you are trying to help lash out. I’ve seen it for myself in A&Es, on night shifts, and on ambulances.”
Mr Hancock said he was “horrified that any member of the public would abuse or physically assault a member of our NHS staff but it happens too often”.
Posted by Marcus Bailey on Thu, 12 Mar 2020 12:04 | #