Wishaw workers twice as likely to be victims

In March, this newspaper revealed hard-working staff in Wishaw are twice as likely to be attacked or abused at work than those at Lanarkshire’s other two acute hospitals.

The figures, obtained by the Wishaw Press through a Freedom of Information request showed there were 379 recorded incidents at the hospital in 2017.

That crime count, which amounts to more than one per day, was more than double the 181 incidents at Hairmyres and 149 at Monklands.

In response to the shock figures, the health board’s then human resources chief Kenny Small said:“We have mandatory training for appropriate staff to enable them to manage violent or potentially violent individuals.”

The official figures show staff at Wishaw were assaulted by patients on 218 occasions.

That figure dwarves the 103 attacks at Monklands and the 118 reported at Hairmyres. Wishaw staff also reported 112 incidents of threatening and/or intimidating behaviour towards them.

That’s more than five times the number at Monklands and almost triple the figure of Hairmyres. Wishaw staff were also verbally abused on 24 occasions while telephone abuse accounted for 10 incidents.

The figures came weeks after police began a pilot scheme with two officers patrolling in and around the hospital for the next three months.

In response to a letter sent to her by Wishaw MSP Clare Adamson in the wake of our findings, Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison said:“I absolutely recognise the significant contribution made to our health service by our dedicated staff.

“Their welfare is critically important and there is no question that staff should feel safe when carrying out their role.

“I have asked my officials to liase with NHS Lanarkshire in respect of the Police Scotland trial with a view to examining the impact of the pilot on the volume of the incidents at University Hospital Wishaw. I hope this reassures you of my continued commitment to supporting staff in the NHS workforce.”