The number of aggression against doctors is increasing

The allegation of violation of the bodily integrity of public officials was heard by a woman who attacked two doctors and a rescuer in a hospital in Gdynia. What she did is part of a whole series of similar events – including the most dramatic one. Less than a week ago, an aggressive patient killed a doctor in a hospital in Krakow. The murder shocked, but it did not bring backness.

A doctor, doctor and rescuer, beaten at night from Friday to Saturday in a hospital in Gdynia, recover and heal wounds.

– I received my stomach blows. Friends received blows mainly in the face, these are bruises, scratches, lip cuttings – says Tomasz Stolarewicz, head of the Hospital Emergency Department at the Municipal Hospital Saint Wincenty and Paulo in Gdynia.

The 28-year-old with a face injury, drunk and under the influence of drugs was brought to the hospital with an ambulance after police intervention in one of the clubs. The head of the Emergency Room on duty reports that the excited woman did not want to be treated and escaping from the staff, she invaded the medical duty.

– There were kicks and fists. Fortunately, she did not have any sharp tools except the keys bunch, which she also tried to deal damage to us – reports Stolarewicz.

– In a situation where the staff feels threatened, he is always to call the police – indicates Małgorzata Pisarewicz from Pomeranian hospitals.

“We don't want to be victims”

Medics overpowered the aggressor before the arrival of the services. She was detained, and after sobering up she heard the allegation of violation of the bodily integrity of public officials, for which they threaten three years in prison. Recently, another medic was injured in the same hospital and in the same ward.

– Then an aggressive patient, under the influence of alcohol, simply threw a wheelchair at the paramedic. There, it also ended with bruises and minor injuries – says Małgorzata Pisarewicz.

Only in recent days of attacks on health care workers there were several in Poland, including the most tragic one, after which the orthopedist from Krakow died.

– We also have families, we want to come back to them, we help victims, we do not want to be victims – says Tomasz Stolarewicz.

– It's time to think seriously on how to lead such situations not taking place in the future – he comments Marcin WiącekOmbudsman.

After the death of a paramedic attacked in January by a patient by a patient in Siedlce, the Ministry of Health announced changes: equipment for ambulance teams with knives, psychological support for paramedics, self -defense training. But even politicians from Platforma Obywatelska note that this is not enough.

– The doctor is not to learn to fight, but the doctor is to learn more and more. And the state is to protect a doctor, a nurse, a lifeguard and people of the health care system – notes Bartosz Arłukowicz, MEP of the Civic Coalition.

No consent among politicians regarding the solving of the problem

The opposition accuses the rulers of inaction.

– The government has not prepared any actions that protect doctors, nurses, health care workers, paramedics – comments Michał Wójcik, MP of Law and Justice.

But from April on the table there is a project of the Ministry of Justice tightening penalties for violating the bodily integrity of persons performing public functions and saving the lives of others. According to it, if the act exposes the victim to the immediate danger of losing his life or severe damage to health, the perpetrator will be punishable by three months to five years imprisonment.

At this stage, not all politicians of the ruling coalition want to tighten the penalties.

– The problem lies deeper. The problem lies in a divided society. The problem lies in an isolated society. The problem lies in the growing mental illness – believes Marek Sawicki, MP of the Polish People's Party.

– Today, first of all, there is a matter of applying law and protection systems in patients' places and that doctors must be more sensitive to it – says Robert Kropiwnicki, deputy minister of state assets from the Civic Coalition.

– We must focus on two things: on the one hand, verification of those provisions that are and their enforcement. The second thing is awareness, it is a change in public debate, it is emphasizing what role medics have – indicates Sebastian Gajewski, deputy minister of family, work and social policy.

The Ombudsman sees the enforcement of law, more severe judgments and the inevitability of penalties as an effective element of prevention. – It would be a good idea to think about the practice of prosecutors whether it should not be prepared, let's say guidelines for prosecutors, guidelines for police officers as to how to react in such cases – indicates Marcin Wiącek.

– I would postulate, above all, reduce the level of aggression, great emotions in social life, that we would all learn it together – says prof. Maciej Małecki, Vice -Rector for Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University.

– It may think about professional protection in hospitals all over Poland – says Tomasz Stolarewicz.

A woman who attacked, among others, a doctor, after interrogation, was released.