Glasgow hospitals forced to increase security procedures after rise in physical attacks
Hospitals in Glasgow, Scotland have reported a rise in verbal and physical attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing them to draft in extra security to tackle the attacks.
According to Glasgow Times, since March, hospital staff have reported more than 2,300 attacks, which is said to be high given the reduction in the number of patients coming into hospitals during lockdown. The highest number was recorded at Leverdale psychiatric hospital with 352 staff targeted while Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) - the largest in the board area - recorded 306 incidents. In June a patient was arrested after an A&E doctor was attacked twice during the same shift at the QEUH.
The health board, notes the report, said there was a slight dip in the number of incidents at the start of lockdown in April but "unfortunately" incidents have been on the rise since then.
Anne MacPherson, Director of Human Resources added: “People behaving in a violent or aggressive way towards our staff or fellow patients can create a very frightening environment for our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and support staff as well as other patients, who are trying to receive, in some cases, life-saving treatment. Our teams have worked tirelessly against COVID since March, they should not have to face a further struggle with violent and aggressive members of the public."
Has your hospital or healthcare facility experienced a surge in physical and verbal attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic? Let us know! Send an email to henriquezm@bnpmedia.com
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