Nurses facing physical and verbal abuse: move to prevent abuse
Posted 13 December 2023 - 14:17
Framework aims to support health trusts to prevent and learn from attacks on nursing and other staff, as figures reveal extent of violence and aggression
Nurses and other healthcare workers have told of being verbally or physically abused on a daily basis as figures reveal more than 50,000 attacks in the past five years.
Northern Ireland’s Department of Health published the figures to coincide with the launch of its framework for preventing, reducing and responding to violence and aggression, It’s Not Part of The Job.
‘We need patients and their families to be considerate to us’
Nurse Almira Barro, one of the thousands who have experienced a physical assault at work, said: ‘When the emergency department is busy and patients are waiting a long time, they can become frustrated.
‘One night when I was the nurse in charge, a patient was very aggressive and verbally abusive to staff. I tried to take over to deescalate the situation but I was punched by the patient. Thankfully, my team really helped me and supported me.
‘I became a nurse to help people, but incidents like this make the job harder. When staff are abused it takes them away from caring for other patients. We need patients and their families to be considerate and patient with healthcare staff. We are trying to help.’
‘Staff are doing their best in a system that is significantly under-resourced. They deserve our appreciation and respect’
Peter May, permanent secretary, Department of Health
The health department figures show there are around 10,000 cases of physical abuse annually, escalating in 2022/23 to reach a high of 10,873. In total, 51,595 incidents have been recorded since 2018.
Health and social care system is under immense strain
Department of Health permanent secretary, Peter May, said: ‘Abusive behaviour causes mental and physical harm to staff, leading to time off work and less time with patients.
‘We know that health and social care is under immense strain and this means people have to wait longer for care and treatment. I understand this is frustrating, however reacting abusively in these situations is not acceptable. Staff are doing their best in a system that is significantly under-resourced. They deserve our appreciation and respect.’
The framework calls on health and social care trusts to provide safe environments and undertake risk assessments where applicable. They will be expected to review and learn from incidents to reduce to prevent recurrence.
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