Patient Assaults Staff Member At RVH

The PSNI has warned it will not tolerate any sort of abuse or violence towards hospital staff after a worker at the Royal Victoria Hospital was assaulted by a patient early this morning.

Officers responded to the reported assault, in which the patient attempted to headbutt a hospital employee, in the early hours of Friday 24 May.

One person was arrested following the incident.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson for the PSNI west Belfast said any type of verbal abuse or physical attack on staff will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

"This behaviour is totally unacceptable and there is never any excuse for it, especially where alcohol and drugs are concerned. 

"Hospitals are extremely busy places and the staff do an absolutely amazing job looking after people from all walks of life who are sick or injured and who need their help. We fully understand their frustrations in that they do not come to work to be verbally or physically abused while trying to care for others during very long, busy and often stressful shifts. 

"We have a great relationship with our colleagues at the RVH and tonight we were glad to be on hand to assist them and to make an arrest following this incident.

"Hospital staff do an outstanding job in providing a service 24/7 and we hope you join with us in fully supporting them whilst they go about their work and ensuring they are treated with decency and respect at all times."



(JG/CM)