It's Time for Added Protection for NHS Staff

Responding to reports today (Monday) that NHS Scotland has spent £3m dealing with violence and abusive patients, the SNP's Shadow Health Minister Shona Robison MSP said the legislation protecting emergency service staff should now be extended to protect all health workers.

Commenting Ms Robison said:

"I believe the legislation protecting emergency service staff should now be extended to protect all health workers.  NHS staff should not have to be concerned about violence and aggression shown towards them by a mindless minority.

"Attacks on NHS staff always should be treated in the most serious manner. All incidents of violence, whether verbal or physical, should be reported to the authorities and acted upon as we cannot allow a situation to develop where such abuse becomes part and parcel of working in the NHS.

"Our health professionals do a tremendous job, often under immense pressure.  It is simply unacceptable for them to be faced with a violent response when trying to do their job in helping others."

ENDS