Nurses Call For Tightened Security

Staff at a Coleraine hospital are demanding improved security measures following an attack on the premises.

Two nurses in the Accident and Emergency department at the Causeway Hospital were violently assaulted by a pair of drunken women last week.

The attackers punched the nurses in the face, before throwing a chair at members of staff. However, they managed to flee in a taxi before police arrived.

Staff at the hospital insist that a security guard is required in order to avoid any such incidents in the future.

East Londonderry MLA John Dallat agreed that more measures need to be taken to protect front-line staff.

"This is not the first time medical staff have been attacked at the Causeway Hospital and something must be done before someone is killed," he said.

Mr Dallat believes that more security staff are needed at emergency units

"It is a sad reflection on society that our front-line staff saving lives need security staff but that is reality," he said.

(NS/JM)