The Courier can lift the lid on the verbal and physical abuse meted out to hard working staff at one of Tayside’s largest hospitals.
Statistics obtained using freedom of information legislation show the adverse incident management (AIM) system at Perth Royal Infirmary has been triggered 164 times since the start of 2007.
The system records incidents of verbal, physical or sexually aggressive behaviour targeted at staff.
In one episode, a nurse was bitten as she attempted to provide treatment to a heroin addict who had taken a suspected overdose.
Her assailant was jailed for 60 days. A total of 60 incidents were recorded against staff at Perth Royal Infirmary in 2007. A year, later 45 were recorded, 36 last year and 23 to date this year.
While a downward trend is welcome, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said any assaults on staff are “disgusting.”
“It is important to recognise and welcome NHS Tayside’s operation of a zero tolerance policy in relation to violence and aggression,” he told The Courier.
“The number of incidents at PRI has decreased over the last three years, which is good news, but one assault is one too many and they must be stamped out.”
Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham said, “I am sure everybody will agree that while attending hospital can be a stressful time for patients and staff there can be absolutely no excuse for aggressive behaviour against staff.
“The good news is that the figures are showing a year on year decrease in such incidents, a trend which I am sure is welcomed by NHS Tayside, staff and all decent members of the public.”
Meanwhile, a freedom of information officer said “NHS Tayside operate a zero tolerance approach in relation to violence and aggression through its Aggression and Violence Policy.”