'An Attack a Day' On NHS Staff

Scottish Lib Dems are call the number of attacks on workers "shameful".

There were 774 attacks on doctors, nurses, porters and others in 2012 and 13.

Of these, 13 were aimed at NHS Fife workers, though the figure dropped from nine to four during this period.

The party's health spokesperson Jim Hume MSP said that’s equivalent to "an attack a day" on workers.

"NHS staff at A&E units have a tough enough time trying to save the lives of patients in often traumatic conditions. It is shameful that A&E staff are having to fend off violent and verbal attacks whilst trying to do their job.

“Nurses, midwives, porters, doctors and reception staff were all on the receiving end of this unacceptable abuse. Time is precious in A&E units and every minute which is spent dealing with abuse and calling in the police could be better spent at the bedside of patients."