TRAINING for staff in dealing with violence and aggression at Gwent's two biggest accident and emergency units should be tailored to the sometimes differing needs of each, rather than being the same, health and safety experts concluded.

A formal report on the Health and Safety Executive's recent visits to A&E units at the Royal Gwent and Nevill Hall Hospitals is yet to be published - but its assessors have reported key findings to Aneurin Bevan Health Board bosses.

Layout, staffing and operation of the two units are different, and the HSE assessors believe different training programmes taking these and other factors into account could benefit both.

They have also recommended that: the health board look at providing the same level of security support at Nevill Hall, in Abergavenny, as at the Royal Gwent; that risk assessments specific to particular rooms or areas be completed and appropriate control measures put in place; and that appointments be made to new posts linked to management and prevention of violence and aggression.

The HSE intends to carry out a review of arrangements for dealing with violence and aggression toward staff at A&E units across Wales.

The Royal Gwent's A&E department is currently taking part in a pilot project which has involved the installation of CCTV, to monitor key areas, including individual treatment bays, and to capture images of incidents as potential evidence for legal proceedings.

The project was highlighted by the HSE as a positive move in managing the risk of violence and aggression toward staff.

A health board report on the HSE visit stated that while its assessors acknowledged that the violence and aggression management system is not yet fully in place, much good work has been, and is, being done.