Almost 26,000 assaults on HSE staff over four years 

Low staff numbers and delays in treating patients have been blamed for rising tensions in hospitals and other healthcare settings. Picture: iStock

HSE staff suffered over 25,700 physical, sexual, or verbal assaults in just over four years, with some of the incidents leading to fractures, trauma, or long-term disabilities.

Low staff numbers and delays in treating patients have been blamed for rising tensions in hospitals and other healthcare settings.