Violence in the ED

OUH staff should not be subjected to any abusive, violent or aggressive behaviour when they are doing their job. There is never an excuse for treating anyone in an abusive or aggressive manner.  This is recognised in the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act 2018 

• We fully appreciate that you are very busy, and that the Ulysses report form is not user friendly, –– this example Ulysses aims to make completing the form easier.
• Most of the options are drop down boxes and in most cases the option in the mock form will be the one that you require.  Senior doctors, nurses and the Community Safety Practitioners will be happy to assist you if you wish and please remember that you cannot ‘get it wrong’  
• When completing the description of the incident box (free text) form please use the exact / explicit /racial / threat / sexual language that was used by the patient or relative.  It is important to capture this accurately as this will assist grading of the incident and may lead to prosecution.  
• When it comes to ‘Harm’ there is never an incident of violence or aggression towards staff which is ‘No Harm’.  We would empower you all to consider your feelings about the event and its personal impact on you.  Harm is not just physical.  Harm can be psychological. The box titled ‘Guidance on Grading Harm’ is to assist staff in assessing the effect on them the incident has had.  
• All reported incidences are reviewed in the ED/EAU Staff Safety Team. All Ulysses reports are taken seriously and actions taken may escalation of an event or incident to the Police, OUH Zero tolerance letter, ED Matron letter, application of a flag to the individual on their EPR record to alert staff  
• Assessments and therapy for individuals experiencing emotional distress or mental health difficulties related to their work. This can be requested by self-referral (staffsupport@ouh.nhs.uk) or via Occupational Health (occupationalhealthjr@ouh.nhs.uk)