There have been 279 assaults on HSE staff since the start of the year.

Figures released by the Health Service Executive (HSE) reveal that nurses and midwives are the recipients of the vast majority of the 279 assaults on HSE staff that have been recorded so far in 2019. The figures were issued in response to a request by Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly. The Saolta West/North West Hospital Group recorded the highest number of staff assaults between the start of the year and 12 June, with 68. This figure was 53 for Ireland East, 42 for South/South West, 40 for Dublin Midlands, 39 in RCSI-Dublin North East and 37 in UL Midwest. 249 of the assaults were against either nurses or midwives - just shy of 90%. 17 assaults were against security staff. Other staff assaulted included kitchen workers, psychiatrists and catering staff. In the context of the HSE report, assault refers to "a problem/cause of: physical, verbal or sexual assault on staff in the HSE hospital groups". Staff are encouraged to also file reports for near miss cases, even if no actual harm was accrued. In a statement issued on Friday, O'Reilly called on the HSE to do more to protect its staff. "I urge the HSE to directly employ more security staff in emergency departments and throughout hospitals to ensure hospital employees are protected," she said. "Workers in our hospitals and across the heath service do an amazing job in caring for the health needs of the people and they deserve the right to be able to do their jobs without fear of facing assault."