A HEALTH chief has urged people using services at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to "think before they kick off." 

Freedom of Information data obtained by the Leader reveals the total number of assault incidents recorded against staff at Wrexham Maelor Hospital from the beginning of 2020 to date.

In total, there were 247 such incidents - of which, 18 happened in the hospital's emergency department.

Geoff Ryall-Harvey, regional director for north Wales at Llais (which replaced the North Wales Community Health Council earlier this year), said: "This sort of thing is very often quoted as why staff leave the NHS, or take up roles which are not patient-facing - because they don't want to risk being exposed to this.

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"And I include all staff in that - from my knowledge, it's also the ward clerks and admin staff who are subject to this behaviour.

"They have specialised jobs and they have a big part to play. If they are moving on and don't want to be working in A&E, that's not good. From admission to treatment, everyone has a part to play."

Mr Ryall-Harvey explained that whilst Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is without a full set of independent members, he has been chairing interviews for consultant level appointments.

And while applicants for such posts have been good in quality - they have been few in number, which adds to the challenge if staff want to leave due to abuse from the public, he said.

Mr Ryall-Harvey continued: "No doubt waiting times in the emergency department are longer than they were for the pandemic, and whilst you can have every sympathy for people waiting, it's not the fault of staff.

"Taking it out on an individual member of staff is not good and sometimes these are highly personal and abusive.

"It adds to an already stressful job. Doctors and nurses are already dealing with distressing enough things; they see life and death every day.

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"To add this on top of that, it's not good."

On his message to the public visiting and accessing services at the hospital, he concluded: "People need to think before they kick off.

"It would be better to complain, and we can help them to do that.

"Whatever your reasons, they're lost in aggressive behaviour; it would be better for you and everyone else if you make a formal complaint."

Dr Nick Lyons, interim deputy CEO and executive medical director at the health board, said: “Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our colleagues, who continue to give incredible care, sometimes in the most trying of circumstances.

“One incidence of aggression against our staff is one too many.

"Our staff, and those across the NHS in Wales, see far too much aggression and violence when they are trying to care for people.

“The only positive is we are seeing the number of assaults against staff in Wrexham Maelor gradually dropping, year on year.

“We will do everything we can to protect our co-workers, including using the full weight of the law where it is appropriate.

"All of us must call violent and aggressive behaviour out for what it is, whenever and wherever we see it.”