Police to help keep staff and patients at Rotherham Hospital safe this Christmas

The number of police and security guards will be increased at Rotherham Hospital over the Christmas period in a bid to protect NHS staff from abuse.
Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.
Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

South Yorkshire Police said it had teamed up with Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre at Rotherham Hospital, are increasing the number of security and police teams working at key dates over the holiday period to keep staff and members of the public safe.

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Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.
Chief Insp Paul Ferguson; Sgt Sharon Phin; Patricia Davies, team leader in the Urgent and Emergency Care Centre; Michael Moore, security team leader; Vicky Pearson, assistant security manager; Tony Bennett, security manager at Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust.

As the number of people celebrating at parties and on nights out increases, so do the number of assaults on emergency workers.

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Thousands of NHS staff members are assaulted every year, and the levels of violence experienced in Rotherham have risen over recent months.

Paul Ferguson, Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector, said: 'Throughout the year, our hospital and the police work closely together to reduce risks to the public and demands from in and around the hospital.

'At Christmas time, the need to do so is particularly acute when the weather worsens and alcohol intake goes up. Together, we look forward to a safe and enjoyable festive period.'

Louise Barnett, chief executive at  Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'Nobody should have to face abuse of any kind when they are at work, especially when their job is to protect and care for people. Everyone should be able to enjoy themselves at this time of year, so we're urging people to drink responsibly and only use emergency services when you have to.

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'This Christmas and New Year, working closely with South Yorkshire Police, we are reaffirming our commitment to keeping our workforce, patients and visitors safe.'

The scheme comes after the introduction of the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act, which came into effect in November and has doubled the maximum custodial sentence from six months to one year for anyone who assaults emergency workers.