15 February 2008
The Healthcare Commission is to carry out a nationwide study of mental health units for older people after finding that nurses in these wards were more likely to be attacked than those treating patients of working age.
An audit by the commission and the Royal College of Psychiatrists found that 64% of nurses in mental health wards for older people had been assaulted, compared with 46% in those for adults of working age.
The commission said managers should not allow a culture to develop where violence was accepted as part of the job. Chief executive Anna Walker said the commission would check on progress through the study and via its annual 'health check'. 'Services need to concentrate on giving people meaningful activities in an environment designed to ensure that patients, staff and visitors are as safe as possible,' she added.
NHS Confederation mental health network director Steve Shrubb said: 'Clearly lessons are being learnt with violent incidents involving adults of working age. The challenge is taking this work over to older people's wards and dementia sufferers.'
PFfeb2008
