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Abuse Outside A&E - More Security Staff Required

Story from nhs.uk

"Abuse Outside A&E - More Security Staff Required"

About: The James Cook University Hospital

I have no complaints about the Hospital staff as they where first class but the security of patients needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.

I left the A&E about 0430hrs after 7 hours waiting and tried to exit to main door but this was filled with people smoking (about 10 people aged between 20 and 45 years old). I said excuse me to be passed and mentioned that it was a no smoking area. This is when I received profanities and threatened with violence. I said that the signs are there for a reason and this aggravated the crowd even further. There was Police car outside but none in sight.

The no smoking signs are meaningless to certain people and even common decency is lost as during the time in the waiting area, drunks were coming in swearing. Totally unacceptable behaviour. There needs to be fulltime security in the A&E to not only to maintain law and order but to protect staff and patients alike.

I left the hospital shaking with fear - this was the last place I would have thought I would be threatened with violence. We live in a dysfunctional society and the innocent do need protecting.

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Responses

Response from The James Cook University Hospital 4 years ago
The James Cook University Hospital

Submitted on 12/12/2019 at 15:56
Published on nhs.uk at 16:11

Good afternoon

Thank you for leaving comments on the NHS Choices Website for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

I am very sorry for your experience when you challenged smokers outside the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at The James Cook University Hospital.

Your service improvement suggestion of having full time security officers allocated to A&E will be shared with relevant staff. If you would like some feedback, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01642 854807. PALS is available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm excluding bank holidays. When Officers are dealing with other enquirers, you may reach the voicemail. Under these circumstances, please leave a message with your name and contact telephone number and an indication on the most convenient time to ring you back.

Thank you again for contacting the Trust.

Kind regards

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Corporate Services

2nd Floor

Murray Building

The James Cook University Hospital

Marton Road

Middlesbrough

TS4 3BW

Tel no: 01642 854807

Email: stees.pals@nhs.net

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