Thousands of NHS staff are abused daily

THOUSANDS of healthcare staff in Greater Glasgow and Clyde have suffered physical or verbal abuse over the past year.

Shocking new figures show 2170 were physically assaulted by patients, 682 were threatened with violence and 717 suffered verbal abuse.

The new figures show a drop from 4400 recorded incidents the previous year to 3600 this year, but health chiefs and staff representatives remain concerned at the high levels of abuse towards staff at work.

Anne MacPherson, director of human resources, said: “Despite us introducing a range of measures to protect our staff we are unfortunately still seeing incidents of both physical and verbal abuse.

“In some instances, staff have required support from Police Scotland because of the danger to their own and patients’ wellbeing and that is unacceptable.

“We must do all we can to protect the delivery of healthcare 24-hours a day, seven days a week and enable staff to fulfil their duties without fear of abuse or assault.”

Charge nurse Teresa Grainger, based at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, has experienced firsthand what it is like to be verbally abused by patients and in some cases their families.

She said: “My colleagues and I are all too aware from personal experience what it is like. But now having had violence and aggression training, we feel more able to deal with difficult situations effectively and efficiently.”

Keith Fleming, head of health and safety, said : “We take any act of physical or verbal abuse very seriously.

“Where staff are assaulted or abused while at work, whether in our hospitals or in the community, we fully support them and encourage them to pursue their abusers through the criminal justice system.”