Three-tiered support for assaulted health workers must end
Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said today (Wednesday 8th February) the three-tiered support scheme for assaulted health workers must end.
Speaking following the conclusion of the Oireachtas Health Committee today, Deputy Smith said:
“The number of patient-facing workers being assaulted in their workplace must be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Health Service Executive (HSE). No worker should be fearful going into work. The testimony from union representatives and health workers today at the Oireachtas Health Committee was truly harrowing, and the figures provided by the HSE demonstrate that all healthcare workers face a real threat of physical assault in the workplace.
“It is simply deplorable that current HSE policy designed to support assaulted workers is based on grade and status rather than equality of access. It is completely unfathomable that a security worker, a porter, or a health care assistant only receive 25% of the financial support afforded to other health workers, even if they are all assaulted in the same incident. This inequality deteriorates further for workers in private and voluntary care settings.
“This three-tiered approach to supporting health workers who are unfortunately assaulted in the workplace must end.”