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Original poster

What would you do in this work situation? Drunk patient

40 replies

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:16

Name changed for obvious reasons. Had a difficult situation at work today (NHS clinic). I and a male colleague work in a clinic, no other people around. Patient came in obviously drunk, slurring his words, being rude and quite aggressive. Warned my male colleague (who he had an appointment with) colleague decided to see him. Afterwards colleague said patient was drowsy, couldn’t answer his clinical questions, refused to be examined, was rude and intimidating. Colleague was upset.

Colleague checked paperwork afterwards and there was a note that patient is a long term drug addict and alcohol dependent.

Patient will be coming back and I admit to being worried as it is just me and male colleague on our own, no security. What if he gets aggressive again. Wondering if I should mention to senior manager but not sure what to say.

Any thoughts gratefully received as I feel out of my depth. Never come across this in my job before - new to this clinic & not experienced this challenging behaviour before.

OP posts:

AppleJuiceFlood · 14/12/2018 18:17

You have every right to phone the police if a patient is being aggressive and violent.

Sirzy · 14/12/2018 18:19

You should have a policy in place as to what to do when faced with an aggressive patient

SexNotJenga · 14/12/2018 18:20

There should be risk assessments in place for this and a reporting system for risky incidents. Definitely take it to your line manager. Your employer has a duty of care to keep you safe and that includes from dangerous patients.

SexNotJenga · 14/12/2018 18:21

You should also have had training on conflict de-escalation etc

postitnot · 14/12/2018 18:21

You should definitely tell your manager. Fill in an incident form if you haven't already, then there will be a paper trail that will alert the top management of the trust. The patient shouldn't be treated if under the influence of drugs/alcohol as they cannot give valid consent. He will need to be rebooked and if you feel threatened by his behaviour you should phone the police. Never put yourself in a dangerous situation-it's just not worth it.

Original poster

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:21

No policies in place. Because the clinic is within a small cottage hospital it’s not classed as lone working.

OP posts:

SlowlyShrinking · 14/12/2018 18:23

Is this in a hospital? If so you’ve always got the backup of phoning security and they will deal with him if he’s being aggressive

SlowlyShrinking · 14/12/2018 18:24

Sorry x post. You probably don’t have security then?
There should be a zero tolerance policy for aggression/drunkenness etc?

DishranawaywiththeSpoon · 14/12/2018 18:24

Yes I would mention it to your senior manager. Just say a patient with drug and alcohol issues is coming in on x date and previously they have been aggressive towards your other colleague. I would ask what protocol is for aggressive patients, and what would happen normally in these situations. Nothing wrong with asking for a bit of support with this situation.

As above if they become aggressive you'd be within your rights to call the police.

Original poster

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:25

No security! Lots of maintenance and IT people in the building but not their job to provide support. I think my Colleague shouldn’t have treated him but he said he was worried about how this man would react to being turned away.

OP posts:

DishranawaywiththeSpoon · 14/12/2018 18:29

There must be a protocol? It won't be the first time this has happened surely. Have you had no training in this sort of thing? It can be very intimidating when you get a drunk (or more) and aggressive patient but it will happen again and it's something you have to deal with really.

Again, you don't have to treat someone who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol, they cannot give valid consent and unless treatment is life saving or urgent then you shouldn't do anything. Difficult to say though as understandably don't know what your work is in.

Heyjudas · 14/12/2018 18:29

Colleague checked paperwork afterwards and there was a note that patient is a long term drug addict and alcohol dependent.
For some reason, it doesn't sit right with me that you're going through a client's notes and gossiping about him. Fair enough if it's relevant to your treatment of him, but I'm guessing you're admin staff?

@Postitnot Patients under the influence are treated all the time.

DishranawaywiththeSpoon · 14/12/2018 18:31

Also I think the colleague should have checked paperwork beforehand, but I think it was relevant for OP to know because if he is potentially coming in again then that puts OP at risk. She might have to be first in line dealing with him.

taybert · 14/12/2018 18:31

Is the clinic only run from the cottage hospital or do they run from the main hospital too? It sounds to me as if he isn’t suitable to be seen in that environment.

Original poster

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:31

Not admin. Colleague checked documentation as relevant to job.

OP posts:

giftsonthebrain · 14/12/2018 18:33

Besides all that’s been mentioned, your manager may want you to follow up the next day with a call.

Silkie2 · 14/12/2018 18:36

I used to deal with drunks (men) coming in at weekends, if they were very drunk I would just be sympathising and they would often get weepy and sorry for themselves. However if I had a male colleague there there was more chance of them getting arsey. Just act as if you are sorry for them, very sorry about their health issue.

Shepherdspieisminging · 14/12/2018 18:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Heyjudas · 14/12/2018 18:37

But it's not relevant to your job, or you would have had access to the information.

Shepherdspieisminging · 14/12/2018 18:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:44

heyjudas I came on here for advice. Colleague and I shaken up. An aggressive male drunk and possibly high on drugs has been rude and intimidating, shouting, swearing and generally abusive. I have never dealt with this before. No security. I can’t go into detail for obvious reasons but the job colleague and I do means we do have access to the information about his behaviour. The issue is it should have been brought to my colleagues attention sooner.

But as we are rushed off our feet, doing the best we can this obviously didn’t happen.

OP posts:

Original poster

Nshworker · 14/12/2018 18:46

I guess I was looking for a bit of sympathy too, colleague and I work so hard, no time for breaks, constantly have to stay late with low pay, try our best & have to deal with aggressive people.

OP posts:

bertielab · 14/12/2018 18:50

You don't post this on the internet. Patient confidentiality.

Senior manager -yes. Appointment is in advance. Notify GP of the problem.

If patient is not able to consent to treatment -it might be worth asking them to bring a chaperone. GP surgery can help with this.

bertielab · 14/12/2018 18:51

If you are constantly dealing with aggressive people -HR need to be aware. Protocols are in place -follow them.

If you need to off load -the NHS counselling service for employees.

Mumof1andacat · 14/12/2018 18:54

Call a manager for advice, your trust safeguarding team and u have every right to refuse to see the patient if you do not feel safe. I was as admin in the nhs and I would always be will to help colleagues if they felt unsafe with a patient. Even if that meant just seating in the room next door to keep an ear out

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