New GP service to treat violent patients (From Warrington Guardian)

New GP service to treat violent patients

A NEW secure GP service has been launched in Warrington to treat potentially violent patients whose behaviour compromises the safety of staff and other patients.

The scheme ensures that patients who are violent or potentially violent receive medical treatment in a secure environment.

Since being set up by Warrington Primary Care Trust in March, the new service has already had two referrals.

Angela Lynch, director of service delivery, said: "The safety of staff and patients is paramount. There can be no excuse for violence or abuse within the NHS and we are determined such behaviour will not be tolerated.

"All patients have the right to access a GP and other practice staff; this service ensures that patients who are violent or potentially violent receive their treatment away from the public."

Patients are referred to the service by their GP or Warrington's homelessness service. Their treatment is provided by a local doctor and other healthcare professionals, such as practice nurses, at the Gatehouse Assessment Centre in Warrington.

The ambulance service, Warrington Hospital's A&E department and the out-of-hours GP service are also informed of anyone who is referred to the scheme.

Once they have been referred, the situation is reviewed by the PCT and the patient's GP every six months. It is hoped that the scheme will act as a deterrent and prevent patients from behaving appropriately in the first instance.

In February, a hard-hitting campaign was launched across Cheshire and Merseyside to raise awareness of the levels of violence and aggression against NHS staff.

The zero tolerance campaign was launched as new figures revealed the extent of abuse Warrington PCT staff experienced the previous year. Nearly one in five who responded to the NHS National Staff Survey said they had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients or clients in the last year, while three per cent had experienced violence from patients or clients.

Between April and December last year, 12 people were removed from Warrington practices following incidents of verbal abuse or aggression.