WORKING in a busy hospital is a pressured, stressful and difficult job and staff often have to cope with extremely challenging situations.

So finding themselves at the receiving end of physical or verbal abuse when they are trying to get on with the role of caring for people is not acceptable.

It is concerning that overall, the number of incidents at the county’s hospitals has gone up year-on-year and the actual number may be even higher because unions believe not every incident is reported.

There are cases where a patient may be unwell or disorientated and so are not in control of their actions.

Obviously this is not the patients’ fault and the onus is more on hospital bosses, who need to make sure staff get the right training and support to deal with these situations.

However, it is a different matter when staff members are attacked or abused by patients or relatives who have become aggressive and confrontational. This should not be tolerated.

Sometimes this behaviour may involve alcohol or drugs and these types of incidents tend to occur more at weekends when more people are out and about and things can become more volatile.

Again, this is when staff training and hospital security are needed to help keep things under control.

It is easy to suggest people just stop and think before acting, particularly when they are distressed.

But at the same time, the front-line hospital workers are also doing their best in a highly pressured situation.

It is also important legal action is followed through when it is appropriate.

Some hospital staff members are no doubt not reporting incidents because they don’t feel anything will be done about it.

This is something that needs to be addressed. Hospital bosses should take swift action when it is needed Hopefully this will dissuade others from doing the same and also provide reassurances for the hard working members of staff.