{"id":331318,"date":"2025-08-09T19:39:39","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T19:39:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/331318\/"},"modified":"2025-08-09T19:39:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-09T19:39:39","slug":"assaults-on-frontline-health-workers-average-nearly-three-a-day-in-western-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/331318\/","title":{"rendered":"Assaults on frontline health workers average nearly three a day in Western Trust"},"content":{"rendered":"

“The overall trajectory over the last five years is alarming,” warns MLA<\/p>\n

21:28, 05 Aug 2025Updated 22:35, 05 Aug 2025<\/p>\n

\"Altnagelvin4\/7\/\/2021 – Altnagelvin Hospital, Derry. Pic by Justin Kernoghan \/ BelfastLive(Image: Justin Kernoghan \/ BelfastLive)<\/p>\n

The number of physical assaults on frontline health workers in one Northern Ireland Trust is averaging nearly three per day, new figures from Stormont<\/a> show.<\/p>\n

There were 5,305 assaults recorded on doctors, nurses and other health workers at hospitals and medical sites across the Western Trust <\/a>over the past five years.<\/p>\n

The figures were released by the Health Minister<\/a> Mike Nesbitt following a written query from the Fermanagh and South Tyrone<\/a> MLA Diana Armstrong, who said she was “appalled” to read the statistics.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: 170,000 people in NI to benefit from Government’s pay boost<\/a>READ MORE: Man accused of attacking heavily-pregnant woman ‘tried to force her face on to hot cooker’<\/a><\/p>\n

At Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry<\/a>, there were 545 physical assaults recorded over the five year period. At the South West Acute Hospital <\/a>in Ms Armstrong’s constituency, there were 766.<\/p>\n

Ms Armstrong said: “I am appalled to read these figures. The situation is quite simply unacceptable and I wish to condemn unreservedly all threats and acts of violence against medical staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile the most recent year shows a slight decline in assaults on staff, the overall trajectory over the last five years is alarming. There were 145 assaults in the last year, compared to 115 in 2020\/2021, which highlights the increase in threats and incidents being faced by frontline workers. \u201cThese numbers are deeply concerning. Our healthcare staff deserve to work in an environment free from fear and violence.”<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cAs I have said previously, these acts of violence not only cause physical harm but also have a profound impact on the mental health of our nurses. The constant threat of assault can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and burnout among healthcare professionals. It’s alarming that at South West Acute the Trust does not employ security personnel, leaving staff in a vulnerable situation. It is imperative that we create a safe working environment for our healthcare workers, where they can perform their duties without fear.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur nurses and all healthcare workers deserve to feel safe and valued in their workplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

The UUP MLA added: \u201cOur committed healthcare staff at South West Acute Hospital and in other healthcare settings make a valuable contribution to our society. Staff go into work to administer care to those in need and for them to be confronted by aggression and violence is quite simply unacceptable.<\/p>\n

“Being assaulted on the job shouldn\u2019t be part of the job. We have heard many calls in the past for a change of culture across the board and greater enforcement against these acts. It is paramount that enhanced security is implemented across hospital sites to demonstrate zero tolerance to abuse of staff, alongside greater support for medical staff affected by violence.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will continue to press the Department of Health to ensure that necessary steps are taken to provide a safe working environment for staff in public facing roles in the Health Service.\u201d<\/p>\n

The figures released by the Health Minister, which cover the 2020\/21 financial year through to the 2024\/25 financial year and broken down by medical facility, are as follows;<\/p>\n