'Increased hostility' towards health staff in Lanarkshire

Frontline health staff in Lanarkshire are having to deal with “increased hostility”, the NHS has said.

They said violence and aggression “will not be tolerated” after reports from workers about unacceptable behaviour.

In a joint statement, Heather Knox, chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire, and Ross McGuffie and Val de Souza, chief officers of the North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships, said coronavirus had made the year “extremely challenging”.

South and North Lanarkshire are both in level three of the Covid alert system, meaning tight restrictions in the area.

The statement read: “The majority of the public have been very supportive of our staff and we thank them for that.

“Sadly, however, we are hearing reports that, in recent days and weeks, a minority have been engaging in behaviours and attitude towards some of our staff that is completely unacceptable.

“We wish to make abundantly clear to those who would engage in any form of violence or aggression; It never has been tolerated. It will certainly not be now.

“We are continually working in partnership with local police in the management of aggressive and violent individuals and we will continue to do so.”