David Ruffley MP has today voiced his support for Suffolk's nursing staff as the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) revealed violent attacks against nurses are increasing and their psychological wellbeing is worsening.

A national survey conducted by the RCN revealed that four in ten nurses report that they have been harassed or assaulted by patients or their relatives in the last twelve months. This national figure rises to 79% of nurses working in accident and emergency. More than a quarter, 27%, of the survey's respondents said they had been physically attacked at work; almost half of these said they had been assaulted in the previous year.

David today announced that to establish the situation locally and show support for our County's nurses he has written to Chris Bown, Chief Executive of West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust, asking for answers to the following questions:

• How many nurses have been a) harassed and b) assaulted at work at the West Suffolk in the last twelve months and how does this compare with preceding years?

• What is being done to prevent such attacks in the future and to help the victims when they occur?

• What proportion of nursing staff at the West Suffolk have access to a) Changing facilities b) Laundering facilities c) Showering facilities?

David said:

'Nursing can be a thoroughly rewarding profession, however, as this RCN survey shows the pressures that nurses face on a daily basis can increase the toll of this already physically and mentally demanding job.

'I have, therefore, written today to Chris Bown, Chief Executive of West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust asking for his response to a number of issues highlighted by the RCN including how many attacks on nursing staff have taken place at the West Suffolk in the last twelve months and what support the hospital provides to the victims.

'Suffolk's hard working nursing staff must get the support they need to do their job. I eagerly await Mr Bown's response and will be pressing him to do his utmost to support this vital and demanding profession.'