NHS staff in Scotland are to receive training which will help them identify domestic abuse victims.

It is hoped that health professionals will be able to use their expertise to try and encourage victims to speak out about abuse they may be suffering at home. More than 5,000 members of front line staff, including midwives, mental health workers, accident and emergency staff, and even those working in nurse manager jobs will receive the training over the next year and a half.

A national NHS domestic abuse team will run the training sessions. The scheme will make Scotland the first country in the UK, that is attempting to deal with domestic abuse through the NHS. The Scottish Government believe the scheme will identify more victims and will make getting support easier for them.

During the training, staff will learn how to initiate conversations about the issue in a sensitive way in the hope it will get victims talking about their ordeal.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told Nursing Times of the NHS's 'pivotal' role: "Domestic abuse can have a profound impact on someone's health including physical injuries, anxiety, depression and sadly we know it is one of the biggest reasons for suicide.

"Often the health service is the first, or indeed only, service that victims will use either for themselves or their children. The NHS therefore has a pivotal role in helping to combat domestic abuse. And importantly, NHS staff should feel well equipped and confident about opening the door for people to talk about domestic abuse," she added.