By Dionne Meehan
FOLLOWING the recent rise in attacks at Letterkenny University Hospital, the Health Service Executive has stressed that the safety of staff and service users remains a top priority.
Their comments come after local councillor Gerry McMonagle urged the HSE to increase the security quota at the hospital following an increase in attacks on staff, which he branded “unacceptable”.
Last week it was revealed two security officers are on long-term sick leave, with another being medically retired, due to injuries from recent attacks at the hospital’s emergency department.
In addition to this, a worried reader contacted the Donegal News to highlight their concerns about a loved one who works in the hospital.
In a statement to the Donegal News, a HSE spokesperson emphasised that LUH takes all allegations of staff mistreatment extremely seriously.
“A priority concern for us in LUH is to ensure the safety of our employees and service users,” a spokesperson said.
“LUH adheres to the HSE Policy on the prevention and management of work-related aggression and violence which is published on the HSE website.
“This policy outlines the HSE commitment to creating a safe environment within which to work or to be treated.
“The HSE does not tolerate verbal or physical harassment in any form by employees, service users, members of the public or others.
“While it is accepted that the provision of health services can involve situational conflicts, this recognition should not be equated with considering any form of aggression and/or violence as being inherent, inevitable or acceptable.”
With 10 security staff assigned per week at LUH, the HSE confirmed that all security personnel have undergone training in the Prevention and Management of Aggression and Violence.
“There are currently 10 WTE security staff allocated per week within Letterkenny University Hospital,” a spokesperson said.
“LUH Security team includes a number of multi-task attendants (MTAs) who complete roles within the Portering Department and the Security Department as required by the service.
“All LUH Security Personnel including MTAs have completed training in Prevention and Management of Aggression and Violence (PMAV).”
Meanwhile, gardaí are aware of the recent incidents.
“We can confirm that local gardai are investigating recent incidents in LUH,” a spokesperson said.
“We have a close working relationship with our local gardaí through our Hospital Watch program and as per HSE Policy, the Hospital operates a ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach in relation to any verbal or physical assaults on any staff members working in the hospital.”
Related posts:
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT EDITION TODAY
and get access to our archive editions dating back to 2007(CLICK ON THE TITLE BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE)