Attack on NHS staff every 7 minutes

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Title – Attack on NHS staff every 7 minutes
Source – The Daily Mail
Date – 26th February 2007

Workplace violence and its effects are finally starting to be taken seriously by employers and employees alike. In highly volatile areas such as the NHS the levels of violence and aggression from patients seem to have reached an epidemic level, with headlines like this one declaring an assault taking place on NHS staff every 7 minutes and over 75,000 attacks taking place each year.

The NHS has in some cases taken the lead in training and ensuring staff are given the appropriate protection, but the violence continues unabated and is often related to drink and drug problems which are acknowledged to be getting worse year on year. The outlook does therefore not look very positive.


But companies like Beyond The Blue are offering part of the solution. Through our Conflict Management and Resolution Courses (CMR) and Physical Intervention Courses (PI) we help individuals working in volatile environments to learn key skills related to their own workplace, to be in a better position to deal with this growing problem. We address ways of resolving situations without the need to resort to force, something which most health care workers are simply not prepared to do, as it contradicts everything they stand for.



Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

GBH on the NHS: The reporters story

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Title – GBH on the NHS: The reporters story
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Staff in many different environment suffer from workplace violence, bar staff, waiters & waitresses, door supervisors, council staff, transport workers and teachers As despicable as any violence against anyone performing a public duty, attacks on the staff of the NHS are all too common. These staff work on the front line of a war every night from drunks, drug users and those that just don’t have any respect for people trying to help them when they most need it.

Workplace Violence affects workers in all sorts of roles and they can all benefit from measures that responsible employers take to reduce violence, protect their staff and train them in basic skills to reduce the incidence of violence and resolve it when it arises.

NHS staff are on the front line of work place violence and have started to take measures to prevent the regularity of assault on staff, some that can lead to severe and permanent injuries.
At Beyond The Blue we run Conflict Management & Resolution Courses (CMR) for employers who are looking for ways to reduce the risks presented by aggression and violence in their workplace. The aggression itself is often just the tip of the iceberg and the problems of stress and fear and the associated costs, can be reduced by providing key skills training.

Please visit our website www.btbl.co.uk

Extra guards for violent patient

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Title – Extra guards for violent patient
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Abusive patients can cause the health services difficulties beyond all reasonable control, they put doctors and nurses in impossible positions, the dilemma between their own safety, the safety of other staff and their dedication to help everybody who needs it equally.

But individuals are not the biggest problem, the general attitude within the NHS that people it treats can act violently towards staff without consequence and in an environment where tolerance is not just a skill, but a devotion, is eroding the service and contributing to some of our societies most dedicated and professional carers leaving the organisation.

Training is a key element in reducing the risks and giving staff confidence, it can have a significant effect. We runs courses in Conflict Management & Resolution (CMR) helping individuals working in fields where workplace violence is a concern, to gain the skills to deal effectively with aggressive or violent situations they may face, without the need to resort to outdated overzealous techniques that may cause harm to themselves or others.
Our Physical Intervention Courses (PI) can add a further layer of protection to staff on the front line, specialising in low impact techniques our break-away and disengagement skills are designed to allow individuals to master them quickly and effectively. This enables you to extricate yourself from situations when they turn violent.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Violence cost NHS ‘£100m a year’

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Title – Violence cost NHS ‘£100m a year’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 26th February 2007

Violence seems to be accepted as part of our modern day society but that doesn’t mean that society has to accept it. Not only does violence cost millions of pounds each year to society as a whole, but individual companies and organisations have to foot much of the bill themselves; this latest estimate putting the cost of violence to the NHS at £100million every year.

Not only does it cost, more importantly it often seems to be directed at people who’s only ambition is to help those committing the violence. There can be no excuse ever to act aggressively or violently towards NHS staff, it is a fact that not only cost millions that should be spent on health care itself but places stress on those people who dedicate their lives to helping others. Stress and fear are two factors that no one wants health care employees to feel when they are treating us, in our hour of most need.

Staff within the NHS as well as many other areas can reduce some of the stress and anxiety experienced in the workplace by attending a Conflict Management & Resolution Course (CMR) or in the most volatile workplaces a Physical Intervention Course (PI). This enables them to be able to physically deal with aggressors when required as a last resort.
We offer courses in managing conflict and specialises in helping staff who work in environments where they come under pressure from members of the public and are vulnerable from workplace violence.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk