In partnership with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, this innovative project will use principles of restorative justice to allow the victim and the offender to find a positive way to deal with the offensive behaviour and prevent future incidents.

The PCT will refer cases to Nacro's National Centre for Restorative Justice based in Winckley Square, Preston. Nacro's practitioners will work with a panel of trained community volunteers to run a restorative justice conference between the victim and the offender - collectively they will draw up an action plan to restore some of the harm caused.

The offender will be offered the chance to take part in the peer panel rather than face criminal prosecution or other sanctions if the NHS or police decide it is an appropriate case. Serious violent incidents will not be deemed appropriate cases for peer panels.

In order to take part, the offender must admit that they caused harm to a staff member. The staff member harmed is invited to take part in person, submit a written impact statement, or nominate the local security management specialist (LSMS) to speak on their behalf.

At the end of the meeting the peer panel will agree a code of conduct for the offender. The offender's behaviour and compliance with the agreement will be monitored and reviewed over the proceeding months by a LSMS.

Commenting on the project, Mike Threlfall, local security management specialist (LSMS) for Central Lancashire PCT, said: "The protection of NHS staff is our number one priority and we want to find the most effective way to deal with threatening incidents or abuse. We are really excited about piloting the use of restorative peer panels".

"Not only will it provide a positive way to deal with incidents, but it gives the victim a say in what happens, and hopefully an understanding of why the incident happened."

Nacro's National Centre for Restorative Justice (NCRJ) was set up in 2007 to provide RJ training, peer panels and neighbourhood dispute resolutions for the Preston area. The East Preston Centre for Restorative Justice covers the city's Brookfield and Ribbleton areas.

Simon Evans, Nacro's area manager for Lancashire, added: "Peer panels are already being used successfully in Preston to deal with antisocial behaviour on our streets and on public transport. We are delighted that the PCT is working with Nacro, the police and other partners to tackle unacceptable abuse against NHS staff.

"By allowing the offender and the victim to hear the other person's viewpoint we believe that the panels will be extremely effective in reducing the likelihood of future incidents as well as helping both sides to move forward positively."

The NCRJ is a partnership project run by Lancashire Restorative Justice Partnership Group (LRPG) including Nacro, Preston City Council, Safer Preston, Lancashire Constabulary, Lancashire County Council, Government Office North West, Lancashire Youth Offending Team (YOT), Lancashire Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and Lancashire PCT.

Central Lancashire PCT's Local Security Management Specialists (LSMS) exist to protect NHS staff from violence and property theft, and keep maternity and paediatric units safe for children and their parents. LSMS track cases of abuse or threatening behaviour from report to conclusion and provide feedback and support to the victim.

For more information click on NHS/RJ