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LETTERS: Jonathan Shepherd, David C Reardon, Peter Davies, and Graham V Vimpani Violence as a public health problem BMJ 2003; 326: 104 [Full text]

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Engage with who? Violence and Health

Bill Ellson   (10 January 2003)

Engage with who? Violence and Health 10 January 2003
Bill Ellson, Chair Creekside Forum, 60 McMillan Street, LONDON SE8 3HA Send response to journal: Re: Engage with who? Violence and Health	Jonathan Shepherd's assertion that local authorities and police find it hard to engage with the NHS because they do not understand the reasons to contribute may be wide of the mark. Although some local authorities and police forces have a poor track record regarding partnership working at least normal people know which council and police force are responsible for their area. Only a complete anorak could possibly keep up with the relentless changes in the way the NHS is organised. Even the most diligent Police Commander or Council leader who tried to engage with the issue would find the incessant changes of organisation and personnel impossible to keep up with. Whereas NHS staff can look at their last payslip to find out who their employer is this, or at least last month, this option is not open to outsiders. Building effective partnerships requires a longer timescale than most NHS bodies exist. Competing interests:   None declared