Deep Concern at Level of Attacks on NHS Staff
Mark Griffin MSP has expressed his shock at the revelation of figures which show a dramatic rise in the number of assaults on NHS Lanarkshire staff in 2011/12.
The figures show that the number of attacks on staff went from 441 in 2010/11 to 1,740 in 2011/12, a 295% increase in the space of a year. Initial estimates show a decrease thus far in 2012/13, however it is predicted that there will still be twice as many attacks this year than in 2010/11.
As a consequence, Mr Griffin has called on the Health Board and the Scottish Government to look at ways to address the problem.
Mark said:
"These staggering figures clearly show that NHS staff in our area are being subjected to unacceptable levels of violence and abuse.
"It is of vital importance that the Scottish Government works closely with NHS Lanarkshire to ensure that staff are offered better protection in their place of work, but also make moves to ensure that stricter penalties are enforced on those who are showing violence towards the people trying to help them."
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