'Attacks on healthcare workers must be stamped out'

THERE were almost 20 recorded incidents of physical or verbal abuse against members of staff at Whiteabbey Hospital last year, the Northern Health Trust has revealed.

The figures were released to the Times this week as the Department of Health joined forces with the Police and Public Prosecution Service to highlight the growing problem of attacks on healthcare workers.

Last year (April 1 2009 - March 31 2010), there were over 8,000 cases of verbal and physical abuse against healthcare staff across Northern Ireland - more than 1,200 of which were reported at healthcare facilities in the Northern Trust Area.

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Indeed, during that period, there were 88 incidents recorded at Antrim Area Hospital and 19 at Whiteabbey Hospital - 10 of which were physical attacks.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said there must be a "zero tolerance" approach to anyone caught verbally or physically attacking health service staff.

"Anti-social behaviour in hospitals and attacks on healthcare workers is a serious issue and is one that I am working in partnership with the PSNI and the Public Prosecution Service to address.

"However, it is not an issue that can be solved by the policing or justice system alone. It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that people dedicated to caring for the community receive the respect they deserve and are allowed to do their duties free from abuse.

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"We must stamp out any physical or verbal attacks on staff and allow them to provide the care and support that patients deserve. The aim is simple: to protect the health service so that it can better protect the public's health," he said.