Mr. Sean Egan:

I thank the Deputy for that question. When we inspect emergency departments and hospitals more generally, among the things we look at is one of the standards around workforce. A key element of our assessment looks at the approach that is taken to support staff to work in a safe environment and also to ensure the level of staffing is at an appropriate level. It is obviously very important to make sure there are enough people to provide the care that is required because, in the absence of that, staff are put under a lot of pressure, and that should be avoided.

The abuse the Deputy mentioned is clearly unacceptable and creates very difficult working conditions. We have a role in ensuring each organisation puts in place all of the measures that might be reasonably be expected of it to try to minimise that risk. There may be a requirement to ensure appropriate security in certain situations and proactive measures to outline the zero tolerance approach that should be taken to abuse of staff. Equally, there is a responsibility on members of the public who engage with services to recognise that staff are doing their best and providing the best care they can in difficult circumstances. It is a very difficult situation. HIQA has a role but people who engage with services also have a personal responsibility to behave in the appropriate manner.