Patient attacks hospital staff

Frightened patients were moved to another ward

An investigation is under way at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast after a patient attacked a member of staff.

The patient, a man in his 40s, lifted a metal drip stand and lunged at the member of staff and drove it into the ceiling.

A computer was also damaged in the incident on Sunday morning.

I have to say that it is absolutely unacceptable within a hospital

Deirdre O'Brien
Director of Nursing

The police were called and frightened patients were moved to another ward.

The hospital's director of nursing, Deirdre O'Brien, said the incident was intolerable.

"Some of these things are a reflection on our increasingly violent society," she said.

"What would not have been tolerable in the past outside the hospital, now apparently is a day and daily occurrence.

"I have to say that it is absolutely unacceptable within a hospital.

"Nurses and doctors and other health professionals want to care for patients and should not be subjected to such harassment within the workplace."