Vol. 496 No. 7
52 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to tackle the problem of violent attacks on members of the nursing profession within the hospital system; the discussions, if any, he has had with these organisations in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23398/98]
Responsibility for ensuring that adequate security arrangements are in place to protect nurses and other staff working in the hospital system rests with hospital management. Safety issues arising in individual hospitals fall to be addressed by management in consultation with staff representatives. As the Deputy will appreciate, the nature of such issues may vary from hospital to hospital, according to the types of services being provided and the client groups involved. Initiatives taken at local level for the protection of hospital staff include the issuing of personal attack alarms to nurses in accident and emergency departments, the installation of panic buttons at reception desks and duty bases, and increasing and-or rescheduling the presence of security staff in key areas and at specific times.
With regard to mental health services, the Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals has prepared guidelines on good practice and quality assurance in mental health services which include guidance on personnel safety for all staff working in this service. The guidelines cover issues such as training for staff and the provision of appropriate safety equipment, together with the need for local policy documentation on the management of patients who may exhibit violent behaviour. Those guidelines have been circulated to all mental health service providers and their implementation is being monitored by the inspectorate.
