Health Secretary proposing....

[unlogic]

....up to £1,000 fines to people that attack or abuse NHS staff

[Davel]

I have no problem with that.

How about something similar for these happy slapping types?

[speedychrissie]

i agree with the above post. whats wrong with fining people for attacking other people?

[BliarOut]

Does that fine apply to the politicians who have been butt the NHS for years?

[Witchfinder]

I can't understand why people who attack NHS staff can't be prosecuted under existing laws. Classic New Labour s**t, "popular" legislation where it's not needed in order to appear tough on something.

[xm5er]

Witchfinder said:

I can't understand why people who attack NHS staff can't be prosecuted under existing laws. Classic New Labour s**t, "popular" legislation where it's not needed in order to appear tough on something.

Quite, seems to be another piece of valueless legislation.

[unlogic]

Errr....not sure i would be content with a fine.
If you were attacked or abused elsewhere there is a better possibilty that a custodial sentence may be given through the court system, particularly to a repeat offender etc

>> Edited by unlogic on Monday 27th February 12:23

[lexie]

The only potential problem is the genuinely nervous patients who's way of expressing their fear is via aggression, I've been sworn at on the odd occasion and it isn't what you want when you're trying to treat someone, other than that I think it's a sensible idea.

[maxrider]

unlogic said:

....up to £1,000 fines to people that attack or abuse NHS staff

Fair enough but why is this Government so bloody keen on imposing sodding fines on everything, it is obsessed with money.

Some of the people who attack NHS workers are the same cretins who beat people up for fun after a couple of sherberts on a night out and IMHO shouldn't be on the streets at all, assault used to be a serious offence but now it appears to be treated as no more serious than dropping litter! I could probably even get that sort of fine for daring to contest a minor speeding offence.

Maxrider - member of the string 'em up brigade!

[unlogic]

lexie said:

Just read the bbc article and it relates to verbal abuse and not physical assault which presumably is covered by the usual laws.

So it's a case of your word against theirs !

[speedychrissie]

lexie said:

Just read the bbc article and it relates to verbal abuse and not physical assault which presumably is covered by the usual laws.

thats what i thought. all hospitals i have been in say that they wont tolerate abuse or threatening behaviour and that they will call the police if it is necessary, hence i assume that there are custodial implications.

[TeamD]

I see...now we're not allowed to call someone a "useless tw@t" even if they are?

[DemonlitionMan=On]

Client: Look I've been here for 3 hours and I've yet to see anyone.
NHS: All our doctors are busy at the moment, please go back to your seat and we'll call you when one is available.
Client: FFS! It's not much to ask, 16 people have turned up and been seen before me.
NHS: That'll be £1000 please Mr Jones. Return to your seat.
Client: What for?
NHS: You were abusing me. Return to your seat.
Client: I was expressing exasperation at the piss poor level of service I'm receiving.
NHS: That'll be £1000 please Mr Jones. Return to your seat.
Client: What for now!?
NHS: I am offended by your use of crude words regarding urination. Return to your seat.
Client: I don't know why I fking bother!
NHS: That'll be £1000 and under our "three strikes and you're out" rule you must now leave the building. Security!

...the sound of jackboots...

Cue Receptionist taking 3 months off sick suffering from "stress".

[DemonlitionMan=Off]

[Eric Mc]

Why?

Beacuse it makes the politicians look like they are "doing something".

Using violent and abusive language is already a criminal offence and someone can be prosecuted for such behaviour under a number of already existing pieces of legislation. There is no need for any new laws in this area.

Do they think we are stupid?

[The Wiz]

Answer to that Eric is yes they do think we're stupid.

This is simply another piece of pointless New Labour legislation.

[chris watton]

I find it ironic that the very people who give abuse to NHS staff have quite likely not contributed a single penny in taxes toward the NHS - I have been into two different hospitals (family!) lately, and all I saw were what seemed like12 year old girls with 3 kids, drunks with blood pi**ing out from every orafice onto the floor, and dare I say it, fat peaple, who are probably on some crazy benefit for backache or similar (gross generalisation, but you know what I mean)
Considering the 'patients' some of the staff have to deal with, it's not really surprising - not sure we need yet another Law for it though, abuse is abuse, surely?