HS The staff posted a video that revealed the abuse they received from patients, including verbal abuse, cursing, racial abuse, and threats of legal proceedings.
NHS Lanark County’s 90-second video begins with a montage showing people applauding at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, when health workers were thanked for their work in the fight against the coronavirus.
Then, after the words “August 2021” appeared on the screen, the staff of the Health Bureau recounted their recent abuse.
Sharon Ghani of Burnbrae Medical Practice of Shotts said that she was racially discriminated against because of her surname. Someone told her: “You should be ashamed to call yourself a nurse. You just don’t give ***-this is the shelter where the nurse runs. You are just a bunch (edited).”
Counselor Eugene Wong talked about a time when a patient said that they could talk to a doctor “whatever they want”, and then approached and said, “I’m going to fucking smash your face.”
Andrea McIlroy, a member of the Coronavirus Vaccination Team of the Health Commission, recounted an incident in which someone said: “Go by yourself. If I die because of this vaccine, it’s your fault… …I will be named after you, and I will get that every time I die after vaccination, my family will sue you.”
Another member of the vaccination team, Sandra Clark, asked a patient to say: “I don’t even believe that Covid exists-are you going to give me a blood clot now?”
Speech and language therapy worker Heather Sturgeon was told: “Call yourself a caring profession? You don’t care at all-I hope this will happen to your children.”
Elaine Fraser, another “roar” at Bothwell Medical Center, said that she “cannot use the doctor’s death as an excuse for not being able to make an appointment that day.”
We know this provides a distressing snapshot of the harsh reality our health and social workers experience on a broader basis
Heather Knox, Chief Executive Officer, NHS Lanark County; Ross McGuffie, Chief Officer, North Lanark County Health and Social Care; and Interim Chief Officer, South Lanark County Health and Social Care Partnership Marianne Hayward issued a joint statement against abuse.
They said: “This clip is too primitive, and it made several senior colleagues with many years of experience shed tears.
“Sadly, we know that the harsh reality that our health and social workers experience on a broader basis is distressing because of the actions of a few people.
“We send a clear message to those who show any form of violent or aggressive behavior towards our employees, whether verbally or physically: it has never been tolerated, and it certainly will not be tolerated now.
“We have been working with the local police to manage combative and violent individuals, and we will continue to do so.
“We have sent the same clear message to our employees and partners: We support you.
“We are actively encouraging all employees to report any such incidents to their line managers so that we can strengthen existing support as needed and take appropriate action against the perpetrators.”
They also praised the bravery of the staff involved in the video and added: “It is obvious that each of these incidents caused all the people involved to feel very painful.
“The staff who expressed their opinions and shared their experiences showed great courage.
“It clarifies the issue and allows us to reiterate the available support to the affected people and the wider group of employees-they do not need to tolerate this unpleasant behavior.
“The recent announcement that most Covid restrictions will end on August 9th is very optimistic and even worth celebrating.
“However, this does not mean that our healthcare services will immediately return to their pre-pandemic state.
“Please be kind to our employees and colleagues who are committed to caring, regardless of the situation-people may feel frustrated, and we understand that-but please think carefully before you speak and act.”
