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Nurse 'verbally abused' every day Nurse 'verbally abused' every day
(9 minutes later)
A staff nurse at a Northern Ireland hospital has said he has been attacked four times in the last five years.A staff nurse at a Northern Ireland hospital has said he has been attacked four times in the last five years.
Joe Mottram, who works in the casualty department of Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry, said he has also faced verbal abuse on a daily basis.Joe Mottram, who works in the casualty department of Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry, said he has also faced verbal abuse on a daily basis.
It comes as Health Minister Michael McGimpsey is about to announce a new zero tolerance policy to combat attacks on health care staff. It comes as Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announces a new zero tolerance policy to combat attacks on health care workers.
Mr Mottram welcomed the move, but said he did not think it will work. In the past year, there have been 6,000 cases of abuse against medical staff.
Mr Mottram welcomed the move by the health minister, but said he did not think it would work.
"We've had zero tolerance within the hospital here for a time. I would be sceptical of zero tolerance again."We've had zero tolerance within the hospital here for a time. I would be sceptical of zero tolerance again.
"How is that going to work is what I would ask the minister. How is he physically going to stop this?"How is that going to work is what I would ask the minister. How is he physically going to stop this?
"Yes, zero tolerance, but it is a bit late when you have been assaulted or you have been physically abused. Who is going to stop the person doing it again?""Yes, zero tolerance, but it is a bit late when you have been assaulted or you have been physically abused. Who is going to stop the person doing it again?"