350 attacks on Walsall Manor Hospital staff
Hospital patients in Walsall attacked staff on more than 350 occasions in just three years, new figures have revealed.
The numbers of assaults against workers at Walsall Manor Hospital has risen up to 143 in the 2014/15 financial year.
It compares to 82 in 2012/13 and 129 in 2013/14.
The figures, published by the hospital trust, also showed there were eight attacks by workers on patients with one member of staff attacking another over the three years.
Patients assaulted others receiving treatment on 10 occasions and visitors six times.
It has been described as 'totally unacceptable' by the town's MP.
Walsall MP David Winnick said: "Staff at the hospital, medical or non medical, have a right to be able to carry out their duties without any fear of a threat of violence.
"I think that virtually everyone in the community would deplore these actions.
"I hope I am right in saying that these attacks will be looked into and I am sure that is what will happen."
Last year, a new red and yellow card system was introduced in an effort to stop abusive behaviour towards staff, with five people given bans from the hospital over violence and aggression towards workers in October and November alone.
In July, August and September, seven red cards were issued to people, effectively excluding them from trust premises for a 12-month period.
Amir Khan, medical director at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "The safety and security of our patients, visitors and staff is a priority for the Trust and we will not tolerate acts of physical violence and aggression.
"Last year we introduced a red and yellow card letter system to help combat abusive or threatening behaviour from patients on Trust premises for everybody's benefit.
"We are confident that the red and yellow letter system enforces boundaries when it comes to unacceptable behaviour, however we do take into account that some patients may have behavioural changes related to underlying medical conditions.
"We also work with the police to support staff who wish to take action against offenders."
Despite the high number of attacks, there has only been one incident where a member of staff was assaulted and received compensation, at a total of £1,775.
