7,818 attacks on NHS workers
DOCTORS, nurses and other NHS staff were attacked by members of the public more than 7,800 times last year alone, new figures have revealed.
A Freedom of Information request revealed there were 7,818 attacks on hospital staff across all health boards in 2015-2016, with Cardiff and Vale UHB recording the highest number of attacks at 1,789. Incidents ranged from verbal assaults to physical attacks such as kicks, punches and spitting.
Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokeswoman, councillor Elizabeth Evans, described the figures as “utterly unacceptable”. She said: “Our NHS staff give their all to providing the care patients need, and we should all be grateful for their dedication to caring for our loved ones.
“This is a staggering number of reported attacks on NHS staff in Wales. From GP surgeries to hospital wards, staff should feel safe to go about giving the best quality care possible for patients.
“It is utterly unacceptable for staff to feel unsafe or threatened at work, and I urge the Welsh Government to engage with health boards on this issue so staff can feel safe at work.”
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board invested in five CCTV cameras two years ago which are turned on by security guards at UHW whenever they feel an act of violence could occur.
They have been described as a useful tool to help prosecute violent patients.
A spokesman for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said: “The health board has worked with staff association colleagues to provide a safer environment to protect staff and allow them to care for people and keep people well.
“The security team wear body cameras which has contributed to a large number of successful prosecutions. Staff who are identified as lone workers undergo risk assessments and high risk lone workers are provided with lone worker devices.
“We have dedicated PCSO’s at UHW and Llandough along with a dedicated Case Management service who provide advice and support for staff who have been victims of violence and aggression at work. The function of the Health Board’s Case Management Team has been fundamental to the success of reducing violence and aggression within the Health Board. It uses structured case management and support for the victim achieved through early and effective actions.”
In Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, which covers Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend, assaults on staff increased from 1,038 in 2012-13 to 1,611 in 2015-16.
In response, a spokeswoman for the health board said: “The rise in the number of assaults probably reflects the health board placing greater emphasis on reporting and awareness in line with its values, rather than a more dangerous environment.
“ABMU Health Board provides both forensic mental health and learning disability services unlike other health boards and this must be taken into consideration if comparing figures with other health hoards in Wales.”