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A&E Nurses To Get Domestic Violence Training

Nurses in A&E departments are to be given training to identify potential victims of domestic violence.

For the first time in the UK, Victim Support workers will work alongside emergency staff to train nurses and doctors on the front line, helping them ask the right questions and refer potential victims to support services or the police.

The idea is being trialled at five hospitals in Greater Manchester.

Nurse Jackie Gunn, who works in the Urgent Care Unit at Rochdale Infirmary, told Sky News the training will be "invaluable".

She said she often sees patients who claim to have fallen down stairs or walked into a door who have injuries that do not match the supposed cause.

Until now she has had no power to refer anyone she suspects to be a victim of domestic violence to services that can help.

Rachel, not her real name, suffered violence at the hands of her husband for more than 25 years.

She said that while the abuse was going on, she did not tell anyone out of fear and shame.

She welcomed the initiative, telling Sky News: "You would probably get women who are still frightened and still do not have the confidence to actually say that something's going on.

"But at least if there are staff who can identify a possible situation, they'd have the right questioning there."

The trial, which began at Fairfield Hospital in Bury, is now being extended to hospitals in Rochdale, Oldham, Bolton and Tameside.

There are concerns that medical staff could jump to the wrong conclusions, leading partners to be falsely accused of violence.

However, Ann Christopher, a senior nurse who will be involved in training front line staff, told Sky News that is "very unlikely" to happen.

"The role of the nursing staff is to identify potential victims of domestic violence and, with their consent, to refer them, putting them in touch with Victim Support and agencies who will be able to help," she said.

Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: "I've met and listened to victims of domestic violence and this is exactly the sort of service they've been crying out for.

"We know there are thousands of victims suffering at the hands of someone who is supposed to love and care for them, with no one to turn to, afraid and not aware of how to get help.

"This initiative is a lifeline for these hidden victims, empowering them to access support services much earlier.

"Early intervention will also help break the cycle of abuse, helping prevent children who may witness domestic abuse becoming the next generation of victims and perpetrators."