Violence reduction service expands to Ninewells Hospital

A project which aims to help those involved in violence make positive changes to their lives has been expanded to Dundee.

The Navigator service, run by the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, gives support to those affected by violence when they are treated at A&E.

Staff at Navigator connect vulnerable patients with support services which can help them to address their needs.

This can include addiction and mental health problems, as well as all forms of violence including domestic abuse.

The project will now be established at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, with the support of NHS Tayside.

Welcoming the expansion, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said the service has a "vital part to play" in reducing the impact of violence.

"While there is less crime and fewer victims than a decade ago, there remains a small number of people who experience a disproportionate level of repeat incidents of violence,"' said Mr Yousaf.

"We are determined to do more to support these individuals and the Navigator service has a vital part to play in reducing the impact of violence.

"Navigators do a remarkable job, helping to support people often living in difficult circumstances, to receive support that can truly be life changing.

"Their interventions in emergency departments have a massive impact on the individual and also benefit their families and the wider community.

"I am delighted to see this service extended to Ninewells where our Navigators can make a real difference."

Scottish Violence Reduction Unit director Niven Rennie said: "We already know Navigator plays an important part in helping people break free from the cycle of violence by supporting patients and NHS staff, and then acting as a bridge to life-changing services.

"We are delighted that Navigator has now been established in six emergency departments across the country and are excited about the expansion into Dundee.

"With the backing of NHS Tayside we look forward to supporting patients, their families and their communities to live lives free from violence and the effects of violence."

NHS Tayside chief executive Grant Archibald praised the impact of staff in the emergency department at the site.

"The Navigators are already proving to be a very valuable addition to our high-performing emergency department team at Ninewells," he said.

"Reaching out to some of our most vulnerable patients, the Navigators are in a unique position of being able to offer support when people are at a crisis point by linking them, and importantly their families, with services in their own communities.

"Being treated at the emergency department is often just one step in a patient's journey and it is by hospital and community services working together like this that we can make the biggest difference to patients and their families."

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