HEALTH and social care staff delivering lifeline help to vulnerable people are being subjected to sickening verbal abuse from onlookers, bosses say.

Civic leaders in North Lanarkshire have urged the public to get behind frontline workers in the wake of several incidents in the region.

The local authority says “a number” of its health and social care staff have been “verbally abused in the street” while visiting in-need clients with a range of medical and wellbeing issues.

Now it’s calling for respect, and says every incident of abuse against staff will be taken “very seriously”.

Ross McGuffie, chief officer of local agency Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire (HSCNL), said: “We have a range of measures to protect our staff, however in recent days we have unfortunately seen incidents where our staff have been verbally abused in the community.

“Make no mistake, our staff are providing vital support to some of our most vulnerable residents.

“We’re committed to deterring such incidents and ensuring staff are trained to deal with situations when they do arise. Everyone has a duty to protect our staff while they deliver our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our staff should be able to fulfil their duties without fear of assault or abuse.

“We take any acts of physical or verbal abuse very seriously. Where staff are abused while working, whether in the community or in our hospitals, we absolutely encourage them to report any abuse in line with our policies.”

Councillor Paul Kelly, depute chair of HSCNL, added: “Since this pandemic emerged our staff have been nothing short of exceptional. They have risen to every challenge they’ve faced. I’ve never been prouder of the commitment, compassion, flexibility and care they have shown and their drive to continue to deliver services really is exceptional. We are all directly affected by this pandemic, either through our own, or loved ones, personal health.

“In most cases, patients, their relatives and the public will be appreciative towards those who provide health and social care services, but a small minority of people have been abusive towards staff. It’s vital that people respect the incredible work health and social care staff are doing just now under exceptionally trying circumstances.

“Our staff should never face any abuse of any kind. They deserve our thanks and their dedication and empathy should be recognised by everyone.”

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