Level of assaults on nursing staff ‘significantly under-estimated’ by employers

HEALTH employers have been accused of significantly under-estimating the level of assaults on nursing staff.

Irish Nurses’ Organisation general secretary Liam Doran said new figures compiled by the Health Service Employers’ Agency (HSEA) only confirmed the number of nurses off work as a result of a serious assault.

Mr Doran said there were incidents where nurses were pushed around and shaken but did not miss work as a result. Nurses were also verbally abused on a regular basis.