HSE staff endured over 25,700 instances of physical, sexual, or verbal assault in just over four years. Some of these incidents resulted in fractures, trauma, or long-term disabilities for the staff members involved.
Staffing shortages and extended patient wait times are cited as contributing factors to heightened tensions within hospitals and other healthcare environments.
Forty-one incidents were classified as major injuries. According to the HSE, this classification can encompass events leading to limb loss or long-term incapacitation, requiring medical attention for more than six months.
An additional 852 individuals experienced “significant injuries,” including broken bones or trauma stemming from violent and aggressive acts. These incidents prompted the involvement of gardaí (Irish police) or the Health and Safety Authority.
Assaults categorized as “moderate” often resulted in hospital stays lasting three to eight days for the affected staff members.
A further 2,200 incidents were deemed “minor,” requiring first aid and potentially up to three days of hospitalization.
The majority, 22,690 incidents, were classified as “negligible,” meaning staff did not require first aid but were emotionally affected by the event.
The data was released by the HSE in response to a query from Social Democrats TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide, who expressed “high concern” upon reviewing the figures.
“Understaffing is a contributing factor to this alarming trend. It is crucial for the government to enact legislation mandating safe staffing levels across all healthcare services.”
He advocated for increased security personnel and wider implementation of CCTV surveillance in hospitals.
“The Health and Safety Authority should also receive adequate resources to properly investigate these incidents,” he stated.
Nurses accounted for over 60% of the reported incidents, totaling 15,526.
Phil Ni Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, stated: “Our members, predominantly women, deserve to feel safe while performing the demanding task of treating patients, free from concerns about their own well-being.”
She urged the HSE to actively address the issue and for the HSA to expand its oversight role.
Referencing the extensive delays experienced by some patients, she added: “Unfortunately, when frustrations boil over, frontline nurses and midwives often bear the brunt of it.”
Other healthcare professionals assaulted included 240 housekeeping staff, 1,216 therapists, 417 doctors, 27 dentists, and 228 ambulance or transport personnel. Mental health services accounted for 10,796 reports, while disability services contributed 5,146.
Siptu (a trade union) has called for enhanced support systems and a renewed emphasis on adequate staffing levels.
“It is wholly unacceptable for staff to face the threat of violence, aggression, or assault while carrying out their duties,” a Siptu spokesman asserted.
Katrina Dempsey, head of the HSE National Health and Safety Function, clarified: “When interpreting the report’s figures, it’s important to recognize that staff are encouraged to report all “near misses” and incidents, even those resulting in no physical harm.”
“Therefore, the number of incident reports should not be interpreted as a direct indicator of the level of harm. Furthermore, multiple reports may pertain to a single incident.”
