It is understood the attacker was an in-patient and had to be sedated by doctors following the assault
The A&E entrance to Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda, Co Louth(Image: Ciara Wilkinson)
Two accident and emergency staff members were injured during an attack at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.
It is understood that the assailant tried to choke a male nurse and a female hospital cleaner. Both the man and the woman were hurt in the frightening incident which occurred last week..
It is understood the attacker was an in-patient and had to be sedated by doctors following the assault.
The staff members suffered minor injuries, notably bruising and although they were treated, neither were admitted as patients to the hospital. But eyewitnesses and other staff members were left shocked by the indiscriminate attack.
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A door was also damaged in the melee as the two staff members tried to protect themselves.
The incident was condemned by the local Sinn Fein councillor Debbie McCole, who is also a paramedic with first hand experience of Our Lady of Lourdes accident and emergency department.
Worried members of staff raised safety concerns concerns with Colr. McCole after the incident. She said: “I want to express my sincere sympathy and a speedy recovery to those affected.
“This was a horrific incident and I recognise how frightening and traumatic this would have been for the staff involved.
“Any form of violence or assault against healthcare staff is completely unacceptable .Our staff come to work each day to care for people who are sick, injured, or vulnerable, and they have the right to do this in a safe environment.”
She continued: “We strongly condemn this behaviour and remain committed to supporting our staff and supporting this safety.”
The HSE said it could not comment on any individual case.
Twenty four hour security is now to be restored to the Lourdes accident and emergency department from Wednesday, January 14 next, after being cut from 12 midnight to noon as a result of cost reductions a few months ago.
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