Govt ups jail time for attacks on medical staff

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 27 - The government on Friday upped jail time for people attacking medical staff to a maximum of five years, Justice Minister Carlo Nordio told a press conference illustrating a new decree approved by cabinet to address a wave of assaults on doctors and other hospital personnel across Italy.
    For those who commit violence against staff, Nordio told reporters, "there is an increase in the penalty to five years and mandatory arrest in flagrante delicto, with the possibility of deferring arrest for no more than 48 hours.
    "This will (have) a strong deterrent effect.
    "That those who work with great sacrifice in outpatient clinics and emergency rooms are attacked and beaten up and essential environments such as hospitals devastated is intolerable." Cabinet Secretary Alfredo Mantovano said funds would be set aside in the next budget bill to boost surveillance of healthcare staff to prevent attacks.
    "It is the government's intention to include in the next Budget Law a provision that will have adequate financial coverage for the installation of video surveillance systems in the healthcare facilities most affected by these aggressions", he said.
    The exact rules on video surveillance were not included in the decree, Mantovano said, "because a discussion with the regions and the privacy guarantor is necessary.
    "From 1 January, the conditions will certainly be in place to extend video surveillance where necessary".
    photo: Nordio (ANSA).