Health workers, deferred arrest for those who attack them –

The safety alarm for hospital staff is now of national importance and an adequate response is needed. Then comes the government’s crackdown on violence against healthcare workers. There will be compulsory arrest in flagrante delicto, also deferred, for crimes committed against doctors, nurses and social-healthcare personnel while they are on duty. “Today we have given another concrete response to protect doctors, nurses and all health and social care workers. With the approval of the decree law on assaults, arrest in flagrante delicto, even deferred, is immediately applicable for those who attack a health worker. We have maintained a commitment made with those who dedicate themselves every day with competence and dedication to the care of citizens and do not deserve to be subjected to violence”. This is what the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, declared.

“The decree also – explained the Minister – stiffens the punishment for those who damage property inside or outside a healthcare facility. We no longer want to see violence against women and men in the healthcare service but not even immediate destruction rescue or departments. These measures are added to the others already approved last year, for preventive and deterrence purposes: the penalties for attackers have increased, automatic prosecution is already foreseen, regardless of the report of those who are attacked and have been police forces in hospitals have been strengthened. We want to work safely in health and social care facilities, but we know that alongside these necessary and necessary interventions, an even greater effort is needed on a cultural level. This is why we will continue to promote campaigns, together with the categories to raise awareness among citizens and strengthen the relationship of trust between patient and doctor”.

The law decree modifies the articles of the code of criminal procedure 380 (mandatory arrest in flagrante delicto) and 382 bis (arrest in flagrante delicto deferred): compulsory arrest in flagrante delicto also extends to acts of violence which cause personal injury to healthcare professionals or which produce damage to movable and immovable property intended for healthcare, with the consequent compromise of the public service provided by the structures. Furthermore, compulsory arrest in flagrante delicto, even “deferred”, is applied, i.e. in the forty-eight hours following the criminal conduct unequivocally proven by video-photographic documentation. The law also modifies article 365 of the penal code, providing for an aggravated penalty for anyone who damages movable or immovable property inside or in the vicinity of residential or semi-residential, public or private, healthcare or social-health facilities, including the property of doctors and healthcare personnel. : imprisonment from one to five years and a fine of up to 10,000 euros and the penalty is increased if the act is committed by several people together.