Over 6000 nurses attacked at work in 2018

Northern Ireland’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Charlotte McArdle said any form of attack on nurses and other healthcare workers is “totally unacceptable”.

Charlotte McArdle was speaking after figures were released from Northern Ireland’s five Health Trusts which showed last year there were 6651 attacks on health care staff - 6138 were directed at nurses, 97 were doctors and there were 416 attacks on other HSC staff. In the Belfast Trust area there were almost four thousand attacks on nurses, almost 800 in Western Trust area, 542 in South Eastern Trust area, 452 in Northern Trust area and 395 in the Southern Trust. 

The CNO said: “HSC staff work incredibly hard in a high-pressure environment and I am appalled to think that people who dedicate themselves to caring for others and saving lives are being subjected to verbal or physical abuse within their place of work and wish to ensure staff, the public and patients are safeguarded from violent and antisocial behaviour.

“These experiences have a hugely negative impact on their performance at work as well as physical and mental health of healthcare staff, and their personal and family relationships. Healthcare workers often express an understanding as to why some people they work with may behave in certain ways, sometimes that’s due to illness but often it’s just unacceptable behaviour. 

“People tend to think the majority of these attacks occur in A&E Departments where alcohol or drug abuse appear to be causal factors. The majority of recorded incidents across the HSC are linked to persons with mental health and learning disability rather than any malicious intent. 

“Whilst many of these incidents are a direct result of illness Employers need to understand how to meet their responsibilities to employees to fulfil their duty of care and to do that they have to understand particular issues associated with providing care in challenging and complex situations.” 

Each HSC Trust operates a robust Zero Tolerance Policy, overseen by a Senior Director. The policy requires the provision of a working environment where employees can undertake their duties without fear of abuse or violence.

“Whilst it is recognised that incidents of an aggressive or violent nature cannot be fully eliminated,  the policy provides a means to manage and minimise the risk to employees. It aims to ensure that all staff are aware of, and are protected from, as far as is reasonably practical, violent or potentially violent situations that may occur within Trust facilities and/or whilst staff are on duty,” said Charlotte McArdle.  

“A Zero Tolerance Task and Finish Group has been established to review the existing policy and to develop a regional policy for the management of incidents of violence and aggression taking account of any recent policy/legislative change and best practice.” This Group should complete this work in the Summer.

Notes to editors: 

1. For media enquiries please contact the DoH Press Office team on 028 9052 0579 or email: pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk. Out-of-office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.
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