Posted By Carol Ambrose Hi, Could anyone help? I have to conduct a risk assessment for Doctors within our company who perform medical assessments for people requiring benefit (disability allowance etc) the Doctors are reluctant to change any of their working practices to ensure their safety, I have found various information on the Web, but was wondering whether anyone had any involvement with this type of activity, any help would be appreciated

Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Is it possible the Doc could have some support in the room or would this be a breach of Patient confidentiality? CFT

Posted By Descarte "Is it possible the Doc could have some support in the room or would this be a breach of Patient confidentiality?" Maybe if the person in questions was a known violent offender or classed as high risk. Are you offering a service or is this medical a requirement/enforced? Panic alarms are good, so long as there is someone outside or near by who would be able to deal with a potentially large strong man/woman being very violent or threatening (hitting a panic alarm isn't likely to make them calm down) Also make sure there is nothing in the rooms which could be used as a weapon even securing tables and chairs if necessary. Medicines, needles etc should be kept locked away or in another room. Also consider making the door able to open both ways, therefore being unable to barricade themselves in / block entrance and ease escape Your local police authority will have a safety advisor who has to deal with these issues in custody suites (where doctors rooms are present) Im sure they would offer you some advice or even a look around if you were brave. Des

Posted By Bill Parkinson Hi Carol Have you made contact with the NHS Security Management Service as they may be able to help? If you let me have you e-mail then I could send you our Trust policy (as we are an acute Trust) dealing with violence and aggression. Regards Bill