STAFF at Wrexham Maelor Hospital have been subjected to 136 incidents of violent or abusive behaviour since last year, the Leader can reveal.
The figures for the period January 2012 to February 2013 were obtained under a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request by the Leader.
Workers at the Maelor were faced with 48 incidents of physical abuse, assault or violence, five attacks on staff with a weapon, one incident of racial abuse and one of a sexual nature.
The figures also include 40 instances of disruptive or aggressive behaviour, 21 of verbal abuse or disruption, two of telephone rage and 18 of ‘other abuse’.
David Wallis, operational manager for the Royal College of Nusing in North Wales, said: “136 attacks is a sizeable amount. For me any attack is one too many.
“If there are instances of people being abusive to staff it is up to the employer to recognise that and try to prevent it from happening.
“But the fact staff are reporting it is a good sign, and the fact the health board has collated this information is helpful.”
A previous FOI request revealed that between April 2010 and November 29, 2011, there were 148 instances of physical abuse, assault or violence at the Maelor; four sexual; 60 verbal abuse or disruption; and six assaults or similar with a weapon.
There were also 133 cases of other disruptive, aggressive behaviour.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board said it had done a lot to combat the threat of violence and aggression shown to its staff.
A spokesman said: “We employ our own security staff and, through partnerships with North Wales Police, uniformed police officers provide a frequent presence on our hospital sites.
“Many areas are covered by close circuit TV, which acts as a deterrent and a source of evidence should events take place that lead to criminal charges.
“The health board has issued lone worker alert devices to staff who visit patients’ homes in the community. All staff receive training, and risk assessments are carried out to ensure the safety of staff and patients.
“We have a full time violence and aggression case manager to support and assist staff who have been subjected to threatening or aggressive behaviour. Where a serious assault has taken place we always support staff who wish to bring a prosecution.
“However, it must be remembered a significant number of incidents reported are not gratuitous but can be a result of patients’ conditions, for example following anaesthesia or when suffering an acute episode of a chronic illness.”