Outrage over 1,000 hospital staff attacked in lockdown
ALMOST 1,000 hospital staff in Scotland were assaulted by patients and visitors during the lockdown – many so seriously that they needed medical treatment.
In addition 721 police officers were attacked, with 264 receiving injuries from being punched, spat at, slashed and bitten by members of the public.
This was despite an outpouring of support for frontline workers who put their lives on the line, including the weekly Clap for Carers.
From early April until the first week of August, 970 hospital staff were
‘Absolutely unacceptable’
attacked by patients and other members of the public.
The greatest number of assaults on hospital staff – 367 – was in Lothian, followed by 157 in Forth Valley, 154 in Lanarkshire and 126 in Tayside. The area with the highest number of patients, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, reported 90 attacks.
In Dumfries and Galloway, which reported 39 attacks, staff suffered cuts and bruises to arms, legs, and faces that required first aid.
The figures, obtained through freedom of information legislation, present only a partial picture as data was obtained from just nine of Scotland’s 14 health board areas. Shetland was the only region in which no attacks on staff were recorded.
Of the 721 police officers attacked in the first six months of this year, 48 required hospital treatment and a further 25 needed first aid treatment. Of those, 39 were bitten, 12 were exposed to bodily fluids, 53 suffered cuts or lacerations and 25 soft tissue injuries. Five suffered broken bones, three stab wounds and two needed treatment for internal injuries.
By far the greatest number of attacks on police – 223 – happened in Lanarkshire, with 110 in Glasgow, 68 in Tayside, 51 in Lothian and the Borders and 44 in Ayrshire.
The fewest – seven – happened in Dumfries and Galloway.
Theresa Fyffe, Scotland director of the Royal College of Nursing, said: ‘One assault on a nurse, or any healthcare worker, is one assault too many.
‘Nursing teams are under enormous pressure due to staff shortages and increasing demands, not just because of Covid-19 – they should not have to put up with physical assaults from those they are caring for or their families.’
Scottish Labour health spokesman Monica Lennon said: ‘Assaults on hospital workers who risked their lives during this pandemic are utterly reprehensible.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Any violence or aggression against our NHS staff is absolutely unacceptable. We expect all health boards to commit to supporting appropriate action, including prosecution where appropriate.
‘Policies are in place, supported by regular training and support for staff including employee assistance programmes, trauma counselling services and pastoral support, to ensure a safe working environment.’
Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: ‘It is disgraceful and deplorable when officers and staff are subjected to violence during the course of their duties.
‘I have enormous concern about assaults and attacks on police officers and staff, which are disgracefully on the increase. I utterly reject any suggestion or view that they come with the job.’
‘Under enormous pressure’