Spit-shields bought for staff as abuse is worsening in A&E

VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ATTACKS BY UNWELL PATIENTS - AND BY SOME ANNOYED BY TREATMENT DELAYS

- By STUART ARNOLD Reporter

A senior medic described how his hospital trust was investing in spit guards for staff after he was quizzed about abusive A&E patients.

Deepak Dwarakanath, a site medical director at the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, was asked by Councillor Craig Hannaway if levels of violence against staff was getting worse. Dr Dwarakanath replied: "The short answer is yes."

He said: "It's verbal and physical abuse. We have authorised the purchase of some spitting shields [for staff], you can imagine what for.

"I just think it's disgraceful on a personal basis."

Members of the Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, meeting in Redcar, raised the subject during an item considering publication of the trust's 'quality account' - annual reports which are required to be published about the quality of healthcare services provided.