MORE than 8,500 incidents of injury to staff, patients and visitors were recorded in mental health units in Scotland in a year.
Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives show there were 8,519 incidents resulting in injury in facilities in 2017/18 – almost one an hour.
The figure is an improvement on 9,101 the year before and 8,721 in 2015/16.
The highest number of incidents was recorded in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (3,232), followed by NHS Lothian (1,679) and NHS Grampian (1,335).
The data, obtained through freedom of information requests, revealed incidents including assaults, accidents such as falls, trips and burns and substance abuse.
The party’s mental health spokeswoman Annie Wells said more must be done to make mental health units safer for patients, staff and visitors.
She said: “Everyone accepts that mental health wards can be extremely challenging both for patients and staff and, as such, incidents involving injury are bound to occur.
“But at the same time, more clearly needs to be done to reduce the thousands which occur each year.
“All political parties agree that mental health deserves parity of esteem with physical health.
“But if that is to be the case, these units have to become safer for workers and patients, and clearly that will take a great deal of effort and focus.
“That requires the Scottish Government speaking to staff, experts and relevant charities to see what improvements can be made to reduce injuries in this vital part of our NHS.”
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