THE safety of staff at Tallaght Hospital needs to be “better prioritised”, following a number of assaults that has been described as staggeringly high by a local TD.
Figures released to Sinn Féin show that in the first five months of the year 279 health service workers were assaulted – with 249 of those assaults being committed against nurses and midwives.
In the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, which Tallaght Hospital is part of, the number of assaults was “a staggering 40”, Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, said.
“The safety of the excellent staff in our health service as they discharge their duties is paramount. Any assault or attempted assault on a member of the health service as they try to do their job is unacceptable,” Deputy Crowe said.
“Nurses play a key role in the delivery of our public health services, and for them to face such high levels of assault is completely unacceptable.
“The HSE, and the Minister for Health, need to increase measures to reduce the number of assaults our nurses face.”
Deputy Crowe added: “I urge the HSE to directly employ more security staff in the emergency department in Tallaght and throughout the hospital to ensure employees are protected.
“Workers in Tallaght hospital and across the heath service do an amazing job in caring for the health needs of the people and they deserve the right to be able to do their jobs without fear of facing assault.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the HSE was responsible for the delivery of services, and managing health care staff.
A spokesperson for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group and Tallaght University Hospital said ensuring the safety of employees and service users is a priority concern for the HSE and Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.
“Hospitals are committed to creating a safe environment within which to work or to be treated,” the spokesperson said.
“There is an emphasis on training and equipping the workforce effectively with skills on risk identification and the management of violence and aggression and such training supports are offered and available to hospitals,” the spokesperson added.