Hospital Yobs Could Face Pub Ban
This article is old - Published: Friday, Aug 26th, 2011
Helping to launch the scheme are A&E Staff Nurse Julie Morris, Ambulance Emergency Medical Technician Matt Hughes and A&E Sister Jackie Suter
Drunken patients who act aggressively towards NHS staff at Wrexham Maelor Hospital could face a ban from pubs and clubs in the area under a new initiative.
In the build up to the Bank Holiday weekend, which usually sees a large number of revellers visit Wrexham’s nightspots, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and the Welsh Ambulance Service has teamed up with the Wrexham NightSafe scheme and local Pubwatch groups who will receive information from North Wales Police on all reported incidents of abuse or assault on NHS staff.
In any instance where the offender was under the influence of alcohol Pubwatch and Wrexham NightSafe will then have the power to issue banning orders that will apply to every affiliated premises within the Wrexham Pubwatch area.
The board is hoping to echo the success of a similar scheme at Ysbyty Gwynedd involving Anglesey and Gwynedd Pubwatch groups.
Earlier this month we reported on how the health board are considering introducing police patrols onto the Maelor’s A&E department.
Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board’s Director Grace Lewis Parry is responsible for tackling aggression and violence towards NHS staff.
She said: “A couple of banning orders have already been issued in North West Wales, but the success of the scheme isn’t about taking action against offenders, it’s about encouraging people to behave in the right way and deter them from being abusive or violent towards our staff who, after all, are there to help and treat them.”
Gordon Roberts, Interim Regional Director for the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “We want people to ultimately enjoy holidays such as the August Bank Holiday, but we also want to see our staff treated with the respect they deserve. The Trust takes a tough stance against violence and aggression aimed at our staff and we will pursue prosecutions against people flagged up by this scheme if needs be.”
The health board has also appointed a Violence and Aggression Case Manager, David Baker, who will provide support for staff who have been subjected to violence and aggression at work.
His role will be to work in partnership with the police and Crown Prosecution Service to make sure that appropriate action is taken against offenders.
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