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Everyone will be comfortable with the idea of CCTV cameras appearing at Accident and Emergency wards in a bid to cut violence against NHS staff. But the problem is so bad – and such a damning indictment of our society – that radical moves are needed.

From today (24-4-09) four hospitals across Wales will be taking part in a trial, and there will also be cameras inside ambulances. Of course there are privacy implications, but on this occasion these are overridden by the seriousness of the problem.

Thousands of nurses, paramedics and doctors are assaulted each year, often by patients they are trying to help or by those patients’ friends and families. That the issue has become such a serious social problem is worrying enough in itself; the figures involved, though, are truly shocking.

Some people apparently feel it is perfectly legitimate to lash out at dedicated professionals motivated by the desire to help. What causes such behaviour – apart from excess alcohol – is difficult to fathom.

National Health Service staff should be treated with much greater respect than they currently receive. They are the unsung heroes of the public services and they deserve much, much better.

It’s difficult to disagree with Health Minister Edwina Hart, who says this is a problem that should be rooted out. That means using whatever means necessary – and overriding, for once, concerns over civil liberties. Some of course would say there is never a reason.

The day-to-day job being done by some NHS staff has become unacceptably dangerous and, while it shames our society to admit it, CCTV may be the only solution. We suspect that other hospitals will be keen to join in the trial as soon as they can.

The appointment of former police chief Richard Francis as a “champion” to tackle NHS violence is also a step in the right direction and a sign the issue is finally being taken seriously.

We’re sure most members of the public will welcome the move. After all, the prevention of violence and the prosecution of those responsible is surely the reason we have CCTV at all. There may be plenty of instances where cameras are intrusive, ineffective and unnecessary, but we don’t feel that this is one of them.

Hopefully the cameras will deter those who might otherwise attack nurses or doctors, and help prosecute those who do.

For too long NHS staff have had to suffer while little was done to protect them from the worst elements of our society. CCTV won’t solve the problem overnight, but at least it shows we’re serious about tackling it.

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