BMA Cymru Wales manifesto for a healthier Wales
June 2006
General issues
Whistleblowing
The chief executives of all NHS employing bodies should immediately institute and then publicise their mechanisms to enable individual staff members to raise concerns confidentially and anonymously without the risk of victimisation and which will not jeopardise doctors’ careers.
Suspension of doctors
Wales should adopt the English suspension policy with full implementation as soon as possible thereby ensuring that suspended doctors return to work as timely as possible.
Violence to staff
The new Welsh Assembly Government must ensure that all trusts have adequate policies and procedures to: (i) reduce the risk of aggression and violence against staff; (ii) deal with it appropriately when it occurs; (iii) provide timely treatment and counseling for any affected staff.
NHS Wales needs to recognise harassment of staff from patients and/or their relatives as a form of bullying and provide appropriate support for staff experiencing it, and that assaults on doctors should attract equal consequences with assaults on law enforcement officers. Such action would primarily act as a deterrent.
As well as all hospital staff, community-based health workers and ambulance service workers need such protection.
Emergency care
Patients need to be educated on how to access the various health systems appropriately.
Mental health
A bill should to be introduced in Wales that reflects the bill already introduced in Scotland which protects vulnerable people.