Hospital overcrowding blamed as 848 nurses and midwives assaulted in space of just four months

According to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), more than 62pc of assaults reported to the HSE in the first quarter of 2023 were carried out against these two groups of workers.

“This is completely unacceptable – no other profession sees this level of abuse levelled at them,” said INMO general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha.

She said hospital overcrowding was increasing the levels of abuse nurses were facing.

“The continued acceptance of intolerable hospital overcrowding is creating an environment in our hospitals that is allowing physical, verbal and sexual assault against our members to manifest.

“The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) must be equipped with the resources to help tackle assault in healthcare settings. Once again this week, the INMO has called for more inspections and prosecutions of employers who fail to keep staff safe. There must be a dedicated division established within the HSA to deal directly with the health service.”

Justice Minister Simon Harris announced last week he would be increasing the maximum sentence that can be handed down to a person found guilty of assaulting frontline emergency workers from seven to 12 years.

It will cover assaults on gardaí, hospital staff, ambulance workers, firefighters and members of the Defence Forces.

Ms Ní Sheaghdha called for a security review across all hospitals.

“While we welcome legislation announced to increase maximum sentences for assaulting frontline workers, more must be done to enhance the safety of our members and their colleagues in their workplaces,” she said.

“We need to see an up-to-date and actionable security review across all hospital sites. Assault prevention and de-escalation measures must be strengthened.

“It must be made clear that once you step foot in a hospital that there is zero tolerance for any kind of verbal, physical or sexual assault.

“Hospitals are workplaces, as well as places of care. No worker should have to put up with this level of abuse in the workplace.”

A spokesperson for the HSE told the Irish Independent it had discussed a security review of emergency departments.

“Ensuring the safety of employees and service users is a priority concern for the HSE. The HSE is committed to creating a safe environment within which to work or to be treated.

“A number of security measures have been put in place across sites including access control to clinical areas, staff training and the provision of onsite security services to support staff in dealing with challenging situations.

“The HSE met with the INMO recently and a security review in emergency departments was among the issues discussed. This discussion will be continued at the next meeting with the INMO representatives as a priority.”

The spokesperson added: “There are, however, times when even with the many protective measures put in place, complaints and incidents arise because they have been put at risk of harm or experienced actual harm.

“The HSE responds to such events by reviewing what happened and learning from them to protect staff and future patients/service users.”