“One is too many”: Union calls for action after reports of sexual assaults on health staff

Jersey’s largest union has called on the Health Department to “revisit its policies and procedures” in response to reports of sexual assaults on staff.

A request made by Express under the Freedom of Information Law revealed that 20 incidents of sexual assault had been formally reported between 2019 and 2023 – but no details were provided on when or where they occurred due to the risk of identifying individuals.

The department also confirmed it did not record the gender of those affected.

Unite the Union warned that rising violence against health staff was a growing issue in both Jersey and the UK.

“This must be dealt with”

“This must be dealt with by the government as the employer in protecting its staff by whatever means necessary, with support and penalties by law enforcement to discourage these abhorrent events.”

Unite described this trend as “worrying” and said it was clear that current protections were failing to keep staff safe.

“One is too many,” a spokesperson said. “It is now for the employer to revisit its policies and procedures, working closely with Unions and the police to ensure everything possible is being done under robust policies and procedures, safety law, and the employers’ responsibility to the duty of care of its employees.”

The union also urged the government to conduct a “full review of previous cases, risk assess these and define where learnings and improvements can then be made to reduce and ultimately prevent any such events taking place going forward”.

“Some patients… may react in an aggressive or unacceptable way”

While the Health Department did not respond to the union’s specific request for a review of historic incidents, a spokesperson said it takes all reports of assault seriously and operates a zero-tolerance policy towards violence or harassment of staff.

“We treat any assault against a member of staff very seriously and have a zero-tolerance approach to attacks or harassment on our colleagues.

“Colleagues should be able to go about their work without being subject to unacceptable behaviour.”

The spokesperson acknowledged that some patients may be in distress and react aggressively but said this did not excuse violence.

“Due to the nature of their work, health and care colleagues are aware that some patients who are ill may be upset, anxious or suffering with their mental health and so may react in an aggressive or unacceptable way during treatment.

“Colleagues take this into account when reporting incidents.”

Staff receive training on personal safety and de-escalation techniques, and in serious cases, patients who abuse staff can have routine treatment withdrawn.

Any assaults on staff are reported to the police.

What the stats show

Previous requests under the Freedom of Information Law by Express have revealed how attacks and abuse against health and ambulance workers have steadily risen in recent years.

Figures released last year showed that in 2023, 310 incidents of violence were reported across the Health Department.

And by August 2024, more incidents of racial abuse against Health staff had been recorded for that year than across the whole of 2023, Express uncovered.

Healthcare assistants were the most affected, with 156 incidents recorded, followed by nurses, who reported 99 incidents in 2023.

The Royal College of Nursing has previously condemned all forms of violence against staff, urging those affected to report incidents and seek support.

The Health Department has said support is available for any staff affected by assaults, including counselling.