Midwifery Day and Nursing Day in the shadow of aggression. The environment appeals to the Minister of Health

The Supreme Chamber of Nurses and Midwives and the All-Poland Trade Union of Nurses and Midwives have jointly appealed to the Minister of Health to take urgent action against aggression against nurses, midwives and representatives of other medical professions. As the organizations emphasize, aggression has become a daily experience of medical personnel, and the current health care system does not provide adequate security.

Aggression a daily occurrence in the work of medics

As the appeal reads, physical and psychological aggression is a common problem in the medical community today. Staff shortages and chronic underfunding of health care deepen the frustration of both patients and employees, which often leads to escalating conflicts. NIPIP and OZPP point out that the austerity measures implemented for years in the health care system directly affect the safety of both medics and patients.

• Inadequate protection for medics: Organizations stress that staffing shortages and financial shortfalls lead to bogus security measures, such as inoperable alarm systems and lack of security staff support.
• Social changes and the rise of aggression: In addition, changes in society are resulting in an increasing number of risky and aggressive behaviors for which medical personnel are not adequately prepared.

Urgent system changes needed

NIPIP and OZPP unequivocally oppose political declarations without real action. They demand comprehensive and systemic solutions to be worked out by security experts and representatives of the medical profession. Among their most important demands, they list:

• Training in responding to aggression: Medical workers should be trained in soft and hard techniques to respond to physical and psychological violence.
• Prosecution and punishment for violence against medics: The judiciary must more effectively prosecute and punish violent behavior against medics in the performance of their professional duties.
• Strengthening legal protection: Demands include the ability to refuse to perform life-saving activities in a medical worker's life and health emergency.
• Standards of protection in facilities: It is necessary to create statutory standards for the protection of medics, including duties to prevent acts of aggression and psychological support after incidents.

"Do we have to wait for another tragedy?"

The organizations stress that they have been calling for change for years, but their voice has gone unanswered. In a dramatic tone, they ask: "Do we have to wait until another medic dies? How many more health care workers must be beaten before real action is taken?"

NIPIP and OZPP are calling for an urgent meeting with the Minister of Health to work out concrete and systemic solutions. They demand the appointment of an inter-ministerial crisis staff, which will develop a package of changes to ensure the safety of all health care workers within six months.

Source: press mat.