NHS A&E refurb planned to cut down on staff attacks
Wednesday 16th November 2011
The NHS has commissioned a team of architects to redesign accident and emergency waiting areas in a bid to cut down on violence directed at nurses and hospital doctors.
Violent and aggressive behaviour towards hospital staff is estimated to cost the NHS around £69 million a year, according to National Audit Office figures, which have prompted the move.
The design team have been tasked with alleviating stress felt by patients and other service users, which emerges specifically out of a lack of awareness of what is going on, or potentially delaying their treatment.
Signage has been recommended to help patients establish where they are within the A&E process, with the overriding focus on improving the patient experience throughout their visit.
Health minister Simon Burns explained: "NHS staff work hard to save lives every day and they should be able to carry out their work without fear of assault, be it verbal or physical.
"We want to safeguard staff and patients and that is why we asked the Design Council to look at helping A&E departments become calmer and safer environments."
Posted by Megan Smith
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