BOSSES at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital say they will not tolerate violent patients after it emerged an average of more than ten staff are assaulted every month.

NHS Protect figures show 125 employees at Musgrove, where 4,000 people work, were attacked in the year to the end of March.

It is unknown whether any were badly injured.

The vast majority of the attacks (106) occurred where the patient was unaware of what they were doing or that it was wrong due to medical illness, mental health, severe learning difficulties or treatment administered.

But 19 did not involve medical factors and action was taken against eight perpetrators - five involved criminal sanctions, which can range from a caution to imprisonment, while three faced civil or administrative sanctions, which covers behaviour agreements up to a ban from premises.

A Musgrove nurse said the behaviour of a small minority of patients can be intimidating.

"Most patients are appreciative, but occasionally someone gets aggressive," said the nurse, who wants to remain anonymous.

"Once a man was shouting at me and actually put his hand on me.

"A male colleague calmed him down, but it shook me up and my boss sent me home for the day.

"I've been called names, sometimes because I'm foreign - it's unpleasant, but the bosses are understanding and supportive."

Hayley Peters, Musgrove's acting director of nursing, said: “Our staff should be able to come to work without fear of violence, abuse or harassment from patients or their relatives. They need to feel secure when they are working in our hospital.

“The overwhelming majority of patients and their relatives are hugely appreciative of those who treat them.

"Regrettably, there is a minority of people who are abusive and - rarely - violent towards staff. We have a ‘zero tolerance’ attitude towards violence of this nature."

She said a small group of patients may be agitated, confused or disorientated because of their illness or condition, resulting in "challenging" behaviour - in such cases staff are trained to "avoid or resolve conflict".

Staff are encouraged to report all incidents, although NHS Protect estimates suggest potentially 60 attacks at Musgrove went unreported last year.

Richard Hampton, head of external engagement and services at NHS Protect, said: “No NHS staff should be physically assaulted and we encourage staff who are victims of violence to report it, so that appropriate action can be taken."

*THERE were 130 reported incidents of assault on ambulance staff in the South-West last year - 32 involving medical factors, 98 not, according to NHS Protect.
Of those cases, 30 were given criminal sanctions, while eight saw civil and administrative sanctions imposed.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is launching a service on Tuesday (December 1) to further support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of its workforce.
The Staying Well Service is in addition to the various support mechanisms already in place and is available to staff for problems and issues stemming from their personal life as well as situations occurring at work.
A trust spokesman said: "The trust employs over 4,500 staff and it is important that each and every individual has a range of help and support services available to them when they need it.
"Stress, anxiety, financial concerns, drug or alcohol problems, physical injuries and domestic violence are some of the triggers for people to get in touch with the trained professionals staffing the service."