Shocking new figures have revealed more than 51,000 attacks against NHS staff since 2019.
Now local constituency MSP Finlay Carson is calling on the Scottish Government to do more to protect workers.
The Galloway and West Dumfries MSP said: “It is clear from these shocking statistics that more needs to be done – and urgently.
“Obviously the figures are totally unacceptable and people need to be protected at all times.
“We must safeguard all our NHS staff whether they are working on the frontline or providing other services.
He added: “People cannot expect to turn up for their work knowing that they could be the subject of attacks or abuse, it is simply not on.
“Like any other employee, NHS employees deserve to go to work without fear of harassment or even violence.
“I believe ministers must ensure that those who behave so abhorrently are given swift and thorough punishments to get the message over that violence will not be tolerated in any form.”
A series of freedom of information requests by the Scottish Liberal Democrats found 51,170 violent incidents being reported against NHS staff over the last six years.
Many NHS boards only provided figures for staff in general, while data from others highlighted at least 25,142 violent incidents were directed towards nursing staff, another 344 were against doctors and 63 towards midwives.
NHS Tayside reported the highest number of violent incidents with 10,689 reported during the six year period.
In NHS Dumfries and Galloway, the figure was 3,566 incidents – roughly 500 a year.t
Mr Carson continued: “I believe the Scottish Government should be working closely with health boards, medical bodies and trade unions to understand what employees need to be safe at work.”
Statistics showed frontline workers in Scotland suffered nearly 60 attacks every day with NHS staff suffering the most.
Police officers experience an average of 18 attacks every day, with a total of 6,657 such incidents in 2022-23.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said: “No one should be the victim of abuse or violence while at work and assaults on NHS staff are completely unacceptable.
“We continue to encourage all NHS organisations to support criminal proceedings against anyone who assaults staff. The courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with assaults.”
The spokesperson added: “The Emergency Workers Act includes a penalty of up to 12 months imprisonment, a £10,000 fine, or both, and we have extended the act to include GPs, doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.”
