Opening of new hospital wing overshadowed by attacks

The opening of a new £40 million complex at the Royal Victoria Hospital has gone ahead despite concerns over security in the wake of a weekend attack on staff by loyalist paramilitaries.

The attack, which occurred in the A&E department of the hospital on Saturday 21 July, saw members of staff confronted with a tirade of verbal abuse and physical assault by individuals claiming to be members of the Loyalist Volunteer Force.

Speaking at the official opening of the new adjunct to the RVH, Royal Group Chief Executive William McKee, said that the onus now lay with ‘wider society’ – and with political and community leaders – to ensure that such ‘disgraceful’ violence against employees who work in the health service never occurred again. This echoed earlier comments made by the hospital’s medical director, Dr Ian Carson, who called for widespread condemnation of the violence, especially by those “who would have influence in the group to which these people claim to belong”.

Representatives from health union Unison met with staff from the casualty department on Monday 23 July to discuss action in the wake of the incident, which could include a stepping up of security at the Royal and several other hospitals in the area. (CL)