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Nurse 'verbally abused' every day | Nurse 'verbally abused' every day |
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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 announces a new zero tolerance policy to combat attacks on health care workers. | |
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?" |