The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's cross-community party

 David Ford

New laws to protect healthcare staff from assault must deliver results

10.31.09am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 27th Jun 2007

Portrait-yellow: MCCARTHY Kieran (photography: Allan Leonard)

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA

Alliance Health Spokesperson Kieran McCarthy MLA has welcomed Health Minister Michael McGimpsey's announcement today of a zero tolerance policy on violence against healthcare staff; however, he said that the move must have substance behind its spin.

The Opposition Health Spokesperson said: "This scheme must be real and be practical. It must be strongly enforced and thugs who attack our healthcare staff must be brought to book.

"There must be real substance behind the spin from the Health Minister on this initiative.

"Because this scheme is being spun as 'zero tolerance on violence' then it simply must be, or else the Minister's credibility will be severely damaged.

"Our healthcare staff deserve more protection to allow them to get on with the vital everyday work free from fear. For too long these professionals have had to suffer physical and verbal abuse in the workplace with very little protection for them."

ENDS

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