THE HSE HAS recorded 22,402 aggressive incidents against staff and patients since 2012.
New figures released to the Medical Independent show that the figures have actually been on a downward trend in recent years, with 1,393 such ‘incidents of harm’ being recorded thus far in 2017.
The statistics have been captured by the State Claims Agency via the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The figures for recent years are:
- 2012 – 4,573
- 2013 – 4,484
- 2014 – 5,372
- 2015 – 3,743
- 2016 – 2,837
Since 2010, over 10,000 HSE staff have received training in the management of violence and aggression, according to a spokesperson.
“Notably, despite increases in patient numbers since 2014, the data shows an apparent fall in the number of reported injuries from incidents of this type,” the spokesperson told the Medical Independent.
The HSE has had a policy on the management of work-related aggression and violence in place since 2014.
Training in the management of such violent incidents is generally procured locally.
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