Hospital support boost for young violence victims

A&E navigators will work with victims at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital

Young victims of Teesside's "epidemic of violence" will receive extra support in hospital as part of a new initiative.

A&E navigators at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital will work with youngsters who arrive with a violence-related injury.

From the end of March, they will offer support and mentoring to children and young people during their hospital stay and beyond.

Barney Green, consultant vascular surgeon at the hospital, said it represents a "major step forward" in steering people out of violence.

The navigators will assess any immediate risks to patients before putting together a support package, which could include access to counselling and family support services, or support with substance misuse.

The initiative aims to use hospital admission as an opportunity to reach more people.

Young victims of violence are at risk of becoming involved in future violent incidents, according to Mr Green.

He said interactions between navigators and patients could result in a reduction in injuries, adding: "We will begin to help shape our communities into the safer, peaceful places we all want them to be.”

The £150,000 Violence Reduction Navigator programme is funded by the Cleveland Unit for the Reduction of Violence (CURV) as part of a wider effort to tackle serious violence.

It follows the launch of a similar "custody navigator" initiative in Middlesbrough's police station.

Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner said navigators play a "vital role" in reducing the impact of violent crime and breaking the cycle of violence.