NHS Protect has produced a new guidance document ‘Working in partnership with your local Pubwatch scheme’. The guidance was issued following a recent pilot initiative, in the High Wycombe area of Bucks, between National Pubwatch, Wycombe Watch and South Central Ambulance Trust. The pilot initiative featured in a previous NPW news story.
In its circular to ambulance trusts NHS Protect said:
The ‘Working in partnership with your local Pubwatch scheme’ guidance aims to encourage the ambulance service to liaise with their local Pubwatch scheme to tackle alcohol related violence. Some ambulance services have already benefitted from joining their local Pubwatch campaign to reduce assaults, abuse and harassment of ambulance staff. A recent pilot study by an ambulance service has shown that having involvement with their local Pubwatch as part of a holistic approach to tackle alcohol related violence is beneficial and has contributed towards reducing assaults and abuse of ambulance staff.
The guidance has been issued to ambulance trusts Local Security Management Specialists who are responsible for putting strategies in place to help their organisation meet its health and safety responsibilities to prevent and manage crime, and in particular violence and aggression.
Steve Baker Chair of NPW said “We were pleased contribute to this important piece of work by NHS Protect. It is acknowledgement of the benefits of the health service working with the pub and hospitality trade. We have provided information about how Pubwatch schemes operate and the need to work in liaison with their local schemes rather than be involved in the management or processes; particularly in relation to banning decisions”.
The new guidance document can be read here
