Will the Cabinet Secretary outline what safeguards are put in place to protect patients from physical abuse by staff?
People in Wales have the right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Health and care staff across Wales must work collaboratively to provide appropriate protection, help and support recognising that some individuals are particularly vulnerable to harm for example those in need of support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect.
Registered health and care professionals are required to adhere to their relevant professional code of practice, conduct and ethics set by their professional regulator. These codes set out the professional standards and principles that registered professionals must uphold to be registered to practise in the UK.
Non-registered or regulated staff must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs), which is a set of standards that HCSWs must comply with to provide a high-quality, safe and effective service to the public. The code of conduct is supported by a code of practice for NHS Wales employers, which outlines the responsibilities of employers to ensure the quality and safety of HCSWs. These codes apply to all HCSWs employed in clinical and non-clinical environments within the NHS. The governance and accountability framework for the NHS in Wales is underpinned by a values and standards of behaviour framework.
The Framework for Speaking up Safely outlines the expectations of NHS Wales organisations to create a culture of speaking Up safely to support this aim. It outlines the contractual rights and duties that those engaged with the NHS must raise genuine concerns with their employer about malpractice, patient safety or any other serious risks they consider to be in the public interest. In addition, staff have duties imposed on them to raise such concerns by their respective professional regulatory bodies.
Finally, Putting Things Right is the process for raising concerns and complaints in NHS Wales, including allegations of abuse by staff. NHS organisations are charged with investigating all concerns raised, implementing actions to prevent future harm, and demonstrating how they have met learning in relation to that concern. The national citizens voice body Llais can advocate for patients when they raise a concern, and to support them through the complaints process.