STARK figures have shown violent attacks on NHS workers have risen sharply at a Teesside trust.

Statistics from North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust revealed 582 violent incidents were clocked between April 2021 and January 2022 – compared to 471 over the same period in the previous year. Recording methods changed in 2020/21 – and more hospital services have been accessible to the public in the past 12 months.

But trust bosses have repeated their condemnation of aggression toward their workers. North Tees medical director Deepak Dwarakanath said: “Violence and aggression towards our staff is unacceptable. There are no circumstances when aggressive language and physical assault can ever be justified.

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“North Tees and Hartlepool trust has a zero-tolerance approach to anyone who commits violence in our hospitals.” Figures presented to the latest Stockton adult social care and health select committee offered a breakdown of the violent episodes faced by staff.

Assaults with a weapon rose from three cases to nine while cases of unintentional physical abuse, assault or violence rose from 78 to 91 when the two years were compared. Racial abuse rose from nine cases to 13 with incidents of verbal abuse or disruption also increasing from 170 to 208.

Both North Tees and Hartlepool have a 24/7 security team which can be called to disturbances – with trust officials believing the recent rise in violence towards staff was down to sites becoming busier once again. The trust has launched campaigns condemning violence in recent years including videos and “It happened to me” – alongside Cleveland Police, Cleveland Fire Brigade and the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS).

Mark Cotton, from NEAS, told councillors how it had launched a campaign after its paramedics faced an increase in assaults during the pandemic. He said: “It’s very much to help let our staff know we’re there to support them if they face this kind of abuse – and follow up all incidents with the police to try and maintain that deterrent.”

Cllr Alma Hellaoui told Friday’s regional health scrutiny panel she was pleased about the national push. She added: “There is no way anyone should have to put up with such abuse.”

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