07/05/2004
Local GP's enrol in self-defence courses
A growing number of local doctors are enrolling on self-defence courses in response to assaults at work.
This is according to the British Medical Association who has expressed concern at the rising number of attacks on local GP's, particularly those who work in isolated premises without security staff.
The latest recruit to self-defence classes arranged by the Western Health and Social Services Board is Co Tyrone GP Sandra Elliott who was assaulted last October by two youths, one wielding a baseball bat.
She said: "The level of depravity of our society has forced me to take action. You have to do something yourself. It seems nobody else will do it.
"GPs in surgeries, as well as out of surgeries, and even reception staff in some of our surgeries are faced on a daily basis with violent patients."
The latest Department of Health figures show that the number of assaults, both verbal and physical, on health care workers in Northern Ireland soared to 5,065 in 2002/03.
This compares to the previous year's figure which was just over 2,000.
(MB)
This is according to the British Medical Association who has expressed concern at the rising number of attacks on local GP's, particularly those who work in isolated premises without security staff.
The latest recruit to self-defence classes arranged by the Western Health and Social Services Board is Co Tyrone GP Sandra Elliott who was assaulted last October by two youths, one wielding a baseball bat.
She said: "The level of depravity of our society has forced me to take action. You have to do something yourself. It seems nobody else will do it.
"GPs in surgeries, as well as out of surgeries, and even reception staff in some of our surgeries are faced on a daily basis with violent patients."
The latest Department of Health figures show that the number of assaults, both verbal and physical, on health care workers in Northern Ireland soared to 5,065 in 2002/03.
This compares to the previous year's figure which was just over 2,000.
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.