Legal Principles

Evaluation of the combative or violent patient begins with attention to safety measures. First providers must ensure the safety of the patient, patient’s family, and the ED staff during the evaluation process.

Legal Principles

There are a number of legal principles that apply to staying safe and managing aggression and violence at work.

The Health and Safety at Work Act [2]

This requires that workers and other persons should be provided with the highest level of protection that is reasonably practical against harm to their health, safety and welfare.

What does the law allow?

The law allows us to use reasonable force to protect ourselves and others in certain circumstances

The Human Rights Act [3]

In the UK, human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act of 1998. This determines any use of force not only to be perceived as reasonable; but also, to be proportionate and necessary, as determined by the person at the time.