VIOLENT attacks against hospital staff appear to be on the decrease but health managers fear that staff are failing to report the incidents resulting in the problem being largely hidden.
In the last financial year there were nine reported incidents of violence against local hospital staff and health professionals.
Five of them happened at the Alton Community Hospital, two at the Chase Community Hospital in Bordon and the remaining two at GP surgeries and health centres throughout the north Hampshire area.
But this figure is significantly down from the previous year when a total of 52 incidents of violence against staff were recorded.
It is feared that one of the main factors for the huge decrease is that staff are not reporting them - an assumption which seems to be supported by the fact that there were no reported incidents of violence at the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke, despite the fact that it is far larger than the two community hospitals.
But the figures did show an increase in the number of reported incidents of verbal abuse and harassment of staff.
In the last financial year there were 20 recorded incidents - six at AltonÕs Community Hospital, seven in patientsÕ homes and the remaining number in GP surgeries and health centres.
This is compared to five reported incidents the previous year and, again, there were no complaints from staff at the North Hampshire Hospital.
A report by risk manager David Cotter to the North Hampshire Primary Care Trust board said: ÒA reality check has suggested that incidents of violence, abuse and harassment towards staff may be significantly under-reported.
ÒAll staff have been reminded of the importance of recording such incidents both for themselves and so that the trust can target its efforts where they are most needed.
ÒThis, along with the roll out of the revised incident reporting procedures and packs, may result in a significant increase in reporting in the coming year.
ÒDuring 2002/3 the trust developed both a zero tolerance policy and a lone-worker policy. These are in the process of being rolled out. The same report also contained details of the number of patient slips, trips and falls which have occurred over the same 12- month period until the end of March of this year.
A total of 269 falls of trips were recorded with 173 of them happening at Alton Community Hospital and 82 of the total at the Chase Community Hospital. The remaining were scattered through the area. Again there were no reported incidents of trips and falls at the North Hampshire Hospital.
The boardÕs report said: ÒWithin community hospitals dealing exclusively with an elderly, frail population a certain number of falls are to be expected.
ÒThese patients often loath to ask staff for help and will attempt to do things for themselves before they are able. Some are also in a ÔconfusedÕ state.Ó