Rise In Assaults On Healthcare Workers Raises Urgent Safety Questions.
New figures show that 2,373 assaults against healthcare workers have already been recorded this year, including 23 sexual assaults.
The data, provided by the HSE, confirms that up to June 4th there were:
► 1,765 direct physical assaults.
► 585 verbal assaults.
► 23 sexual assaults.
► 103 incidents classified as “moderate”.
Thankfully, no incident so far this year has been classified as “major”, but that should not hide the seriousness of what frontline staff are facing every day.
A “moderate” incident can mean a significant injury requiring medical treatment, counselling, a report to the Health and Safety Authority, more than three days off work, or a hospital stay of several days.
Healthcare workers should not have to accept violence, intimidation or sexual assault as part of their job.
One question that now needs to be examined more openly is whether alcohol and illegal drug use are contributing to some of these incidents. The current figures do not break down how many assaults involved intoxication, but the HSE’s own safety guidance recognises that people under the influence of alcohol or drugs can create sudden risks for staff.
If substance misuse is part of the problem, it must be part of the solution too, alongside safer staffing levels, proper security, better reporting, staff supports, and a zero-tolerance approach to violence in healthcare settings.
Our healthcare workers care for us in our most vulnerable moments. They deserve to be protected in theirs.
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