Success for A and E Fixed Penalty Fine Pilot

A national pilot to reduce the number of incidents of aggressive and threatening behaviour in Accident and Emergency (A and E) has been hailed a success at the end of its first three months.

The scheme, launched at the Royal Bolton Hospital, involves A and E staff and police officers working in partnership. Members of the public who behave in an antisocial or disruptive way in the department face an £80 Penalty Notice for Disorder (PND) or possible arrest.

Since the pilot was launched in November eight such fines have been issued, and there have been a number of arrests. Both the police and the hospital say, however, that the main benefit is that the culture is changing to make it clear that antisocial behaviour will not be accepted. As a result the scheme is to continue.

Chief Inspector Martin Greenhalgh of Greater Manchester Police said he was greatly encouraged by the success of the scheme so far.

He said: "Before we started this pilot, whilst there were a number of disruptive incidents in A and E there were very few indeed that were actually reported to the police.

"However this scheme has sent out a very clear message that any type of disruptive or antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated and the results of such can be serious for the offender."

Hospitals up and down the country have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour aimed at staff in Accident and Emergency departments. At the Royal Bolton Hospital between April 2006 and September 2006 there were 40 incidents where security staff had to escort people out of A and E because of their anti-social behaviour, 41 members of staff were abused verbally and there were 38 incidents of threatening behaviour. None of these was reported to the police although officers did deal with some other more serious offences.

Between the start of the pilot in November and the end of December there were 78 incidents of disruptive or antisocial behaviour. Of these, eight people were issued with fixed penalty fines but for the majority the warning of potentially receiving a fine seems to have been enough to calm the situation.

During the introductory period of the scheme, an increased police presence also had some unexpected benefits - eight other arrests were made, mainly when individuals wanted for a suspected crime elsewhere turned up at the A and E department.

Chief Inspector Greenhalgh added: "Following the success of the first phase, we are now moving into a period when key staff in the accident and emergency department will tell police the identity of any disruptive or abusive individuals in order for fines to be issued. It will not need a police officer to be present when the incident occurs but police officers will of course still be frequent visitors to the department."

Dr Richard Parris, Consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, said he was pleased the pilot was proving successful so far. He said: "For too long hospital staff have accepted aggressive behaviour towards them as just part of the job. The scheme sends the message to everyone that this must change. It is also important in order to reassure other patients and visitors in the department. It has been an excellent example of the police and the hospital working together."

The scheme will continue to be monitored as both police and hospital staff recognise that it is still very early days and it may need further work to maintain the initial success.

The pilot has attracted national interest and both the Home Office and the Department of Health are being kept up to date with its progress.

Photo - Outside photo of Bolton's Accident & Emergency