The Royal College of Nursing has released guidance aimed at supporting health and social care staff who work alone.

The guide has been produced after a 2015 survey of RCN members found almost half of nursing staff based in the community have been subjected to abuse during the last two years. In more than 11% of cases, this involved physical abuse or assault as well as verbal abuse.

As well as offering advice on personal safety, the guide also contains a checklist for safety reps who work on negotiating improvements to workplace safety for members and nurse managers who manage lone working staff.

Kim Sunley, RCN senior employment relations advisor, said: “Nursing staff who work alone for long or even short periods of time are more vulnerable to physical and verbal abuse.

“Employers are bound by law to take appropriate measures to protect the safety of their employees and nursing staff can also take practical steps to reduce risk.

“The new guidance aims to support nursing staff and their employers to ensure that everyone is as safe as possible while carrying out their vital work.”

Read the guide on the RCN website.