EXCLUSIVE: Nearly 7,000 healthcare workers attacked at work across NI
In the Belfast Trust alone, there were over 1,300 more physical assaults on nurses in 2018, than in the previous year.
Last updated 1st Mar 2019
Nearly 7,000 healthcare staff were attacked while at work in Northern Ireland's hospitals in the last year.
A total of 6138 of them were nurses, 97 were doctors and 416 were other health and social care workers.
The figures obtained by Downtown Cool FM represent a year-on-year rise from 2017.
In the Belfast Trust alone, there were over 1,300 more physical assaults on nurses in 2018, than in the previous year.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the trust said:
"A large proportion of these incidents involve patients whose challenging behaviour is as a result of their medical condition.
"It cannot be determined if the 'assault' was intentional."
Chief Nursing Officer Dr Charlotte McArdle told us the figures are shocking:
"I'm quite shocked by the number of attacks on our staff.
"It really is astounding to think that people who are there to provide care and in many instances save lives...would be treated in this way.
"Frankly I find it unacceptable."
Although every trust operates a zero tolerance policy in line with the Department of Health, it is now currently being reviewed as a result of the most recent figures.
A task force has been set up to examine how best to support staff in the firing line and is due to report back this summer.
Dr McArdle said it is essential that workers get all the help they need:
"There's been an understanding that this has been on the increase.
"We are seeing more situations where our staff are at risk of ant-social behaviour and verbal attacks as well as physical attacks.
"Each trust has a zero tolerance policy and within that policy there will be a range of mechanisms available to staff when they feel like they need support with violence and aggression.
"It's definitely a year-on-year rise and absolutely, totally unacceptable.
"Every one of our health and social care organisations need to make sure they make this an absolute priority and make sure they adhere to the zero tolerance policy which by consequence, is being reviewed between the Department of Health and the trusts."