By Joe McCann
CONCERNS have been raised over the number of physical assaults on health care staff at the Ulster Hospital over the previous five years, with around 140 assaults reported on average per year.
The information came from a question asked by North Down MLA Stephen Dunne to Health Minister Mike Nesbitt and listed the number of assaults, broken down by year and location.
For the last five years at the Ulster Hospital the number of assaults recorded was 110 in 2020, 100 in 2021, 112 in 2022, 186 in 2023, 208 in 2024 and 122 in 2025.
Mr Dunne said the rise in assaults on staff at the hospital is ‘deeply troubling and completely unacceptable’.
“Frontline healthcare workers go to work every day to care for patients in often very difficult circumstances, and they should never be subjected to violence while simply trying to do their jobs,” he said.
“The figures show a clear and worrying increase in the number of assaults in recent years, with more than 200 incidents recorded in the last full year alone. Whilst the increase could be partially explained by the return of more in-person services post-pandemic, assaults on NHS staff should never be normalised.
“Staff deserve proper protection, support and clear measures to prevent and respond to incidents of violence, and I will be engaging with the Health Minister on what additional measures can be taken to protect our dedicated frontline health workers, as well as with the Justice Minister around stronger consequences for those responsible.”
A spokeswoman for the South Eastern Health Trust reinforced the message that assaults on staff are treated very seriously and will not be tolerated.
She said: “The South Eastern Trust has a zero tolerance policy in relation to abuse on our staff and there are no exceptions.
“Anti-social behaviour and attacks on our staff, both in our hospitals and in the community, are treated very seriously and will not be tolerated.
“It is vital to ensure that people dedicated to caring for patients and service users, receive the respect they deserve and are allowed to carry out their duties free from abuse or assault.
“We are committed to our staff and will provide support and care to anyone who suffers any kind of abuse while at work, doing their very best to help others,” said the spokeswoman.
