Hard-working medics at the Royal Alexandra Hospital are being attacked, threatened and abused on a near daily basis, bosses have revealed.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which runs the Paisley hospital, says across the health board area staff are facing on average 354 violent and aggressive incidents and threats from the public each month.
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Between January and July 2021 staff across Greater Glasgow hospitals were subjected to 2,479 assaults and threats, with almost 100 attacks following in the first eight days of August.
Bosses at the health board have denounced the behaviour and are reminding the wider public of the pressure under which its staff are working.
Dr Scott Davidson, the health board’s deputy medical director for acute services, said enough is enough.
“While we understand the pressures the pandemic continues to bring to us all, we cannot have visitors or those attending hospital for treatment showing such a lack of respect towards our staff,” he said.
“Covid has had a massive impact on our clinical teams, who continue to provide an exceptional level of vital care and support to patients and their loved ones during such a challenging time.
“As we continue to battle the pandemic, manage emergency departments, continue care in other areas and prepare for winter, our staff should not have to come to work fearing that they will be subjected to violence and threats.
“We would like to thank the thousands of people who use our services and treat our exceptional staff with the respect they deserve.
“We urge the minority who behave in an aggressive or violent way to do the same.”
The health board’s director of human resources and organisational development, Anne MacPherson says medics should be able to enjoy a safe working environment like anyone else.
She added: “Our staff come to work to help people, support patients and their families, deliver vital care and save lives.
“All we ask is that visitors, patients and service users treat our staff with respect to allow us to continue to care for those needing medical attention in a safe and comfortable workspace.”
