The Associated Press
LONDON- The government on Saturday announced plans to fine people who verbally abuse or threaten the staff of the state National Health Service up to 1,000 pounds (US $1,800; euro1,500).
Health Minister Caroline Flint said verbal abuse must be tackled in order to create a “culture of respect” within the health service.
NHS bosses will also be given more powers to remove offenders from health service premises, she said.
According to NHS research, 60,385 health service staff were physically assaulted by patients and relatives last year. Many attacks were preceded by verbal abuse.
“It is completely unacceptable that NHS staff have to suffer abuse at the hands of those they are trying to help. NHS staff deserve respect, not abuse,” Flint said.
“That is why we are sending a clear message to the small minority who are abusive, drunken or behave antisocially on NHS premises, that this will not be tolerated.”
The union Unison, which represents many health workers, welcomed the move, saying the latest assault figures are “just the tip of the iceberg.”
“The personal safety of nurses, paramedics, doctors and health workers is paramount — no one should be made to work in an atmosphere of fear and violence,” said the union’s head of health, Karen Jennings.
Those who physically abuse health service staff already face stiff fines and other penalties.
The NHS Security Management Service, which prosecutes those who abuse health workers, said the number of prosecutions had increased 15-fold increase between 2003, when it was set up, and 2006.