Ms Karen McGowan:

On how staffing levels affect the service, if one does not have the right number of staff, one cannot provide the care that is required to these patients in emergency departments or on wards. That is care that is being undone or care that may be missed. There are increased incidents of pressure area care which will increase their length of stay. If things are being missed, especially with the elderly, there is an increased chance of delirium happening. That in itself also increases bed days and mortality rate. It is very significant.

On the issue of assaults at work, I have witnessed two in the past month. That is crazy. We are totally dumbfounded that we are in a health system in which this is happening. I can quote two such incidents. Everybody has a different day. It is horrendous. The health and safety legislation must be changed and strengthened to support us to be safe in our areas of work.