Brawl in hospital condemned by politicians

Widespread outrage has been expressed at a weekend attack on staff and patients at a hospital in County Londonderry.

Hospital staff came under attack when a fight broke out outside Altnagelvin Hospital, which then continued inside the Accident and Emergency department.

The trouble originated at a nightclub in Eglinton on the outskirts of Derry after a fight broke out between two men. When one of them left in a car with some friends, they were attacked by another group of people.

It is understood that as the car left, its occupants held on to a man whose foot became trapped. Part of it was gouged out. The man was brought to Altnagelvin where fighting broke out again. Up to 30 people were involved in the trouble.

Windows in the casualty department were broken and six people were injured. One man had part of his ear bitten off. He was admitted to hospital, as was the man with the injured foot who may have to have a toe amputated.

Altnagelvin’s chief executive Stella Burnside said the hospital would have to increase its security measures following the attacks.

SDLP Foyle assembly member Annie Courtney, who worked at the hospital for 20 years, has condemned the latest incident of hospital violence as “simply appalling.”

Ms Courtney said: “Violence of this kind in our hospitals must stop and those involved in this affray at Altnagelvin must be taken to task. This kind of thing is happening far too often in our hospitals, where staff are under enough pressure and resources are stretched far enough. It must stop.”

Sinn Féin assembly member for Foyle Mitchel McLaughlin described the violence at Altnagelvin Hospital as ‘disgraceful’.

Mr McLaughlin added: “When we consider the very real problems that are facing the Health Service it is incredible that we have people who see nothing wrong in fighting and brawling in an A&E Department.

“Hospital staff are doing a great job in very difficult circumstances and the last thing they need are events like those at the weekend.” (AMcE)