MORE than 370 incidents of physical assault against NHS staff in Worcestershire have been reported this year.

According to figures released by NHS Protect this week, 120 incidents were reported at acute hospitals across the county, including Kidderminster Hospital, with 256 incidents being logged in the county’s mental health units.

The number of reported incidents from last year has risen in the county’s acute hospitals, with 96 assault cases in 2012/13, but the number in mental health hospitals has dropped by one from 257.

Across the country, there was a rise of 8.7 per cent in total reported assaults from 63,199 in 2012/13 to 68,683 in 2013/14, while the number of criminal sanctions following reported assaults has risen by 191, from 1,458 to 1,649 – an increase of 13.1 per cent.

Richard Hampton, head of external engagement and services at NHS Protect, said: “No NHS staff should be physically assaulted and we encourage staff who are victims of violence to press charges against assailants.

“Those who work in the NHS have the right to provide care in a safe environment and employers must do all they can to support staff in preventing incidents and pursuing offenders.”

A detailed breakdown of the figures can be found at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/3645.aspx