PRISON staff injured at work should not be forced to choose between seeking medical care and managing their household finances, the Prison Officers’ Association heard on the second day of its conference.

The POA adopted a motion today saying it will support members who suffer workplace-related injury to claim reasonable expenses incurred during their recovery.

Backed by the union’s NEC, assistant general secretary Andy Baxter addressed delegates in Eastbourne: “No-one should feel punished financially for sustaining harm while serving the public.

“No member of prison staff should be forced to choose between medical advice and managing household finances after workplace injury.

“Prison staff work in one of the most demanding and dangerous environments. Every day officers and support staff face the risk of assault, injury, trauma, simply for carrying out their duties and keeping our prisons secure.

“When staff are injured through no fault of their own, the least we can do is ensure that they are not left financially disadvantaged through their recovery.”

The POA will support staff claiming back costs from the employer for legitimate costs incurred during treatment and recovery including travel, medical appointments, rehabilitation costs, specialist equipment, parking charges, child care adjustments.

Mr Baxter added: “Too often injured staff find themselves carrying an additional financial burden at precisely the moment when they are physically and emotionally vulnerable.

“These are not hypothetical concerns. These are real pressures experienced by our colleagues across our workplaces. Support [for front-line workers] must be more than words in a policy document.”

HMP Bullington POA chairman Simon Fisher said: “When staff are injured at work they face the additional burden of out-of-pocket costs just to attend medical appointments or rehabilitation.

“The employer has a responsibility to support recovery, not create barriers to do it.”