Man reported to police for verbal abuse of Emergency Department doctor
Corfu hospital
17 Jan 2018
/ 15:16
CORFU. The director of Corfu General Hospital, Phivos Kakavitsas, has demanded that the companion of a patient who caused a scene at the Emergency Department on 4th January should be arrested and punished and has reported the incident to the police.
Mr. Kakavitsas stated that the man insulted and verbally abused a surgeon, demanding that the patient - whom he claimed was his mother - should be hospitalized. According to Mr. Kakavitsa’s written report, the patient didn’t merit hospitalization and the offender only left following the intervention of the police, causing serious problems in the Emergency Department.
The report was sent to the police following the complaint of a hospital doctor on 15th January that he had been verbally abused on 4th January by the relative of a patient who was being examined in the Emergency Department.
The hospital director, Phivos Kakavitsas, said, “The hospital administration declares categorically that it will not tolerate this type of behaviour towards hospital doctors. These doctors, despite the financial difficulties that exist, don’t take the easy way out and go abroad, but choose to stay here and work to support this hospital and the National Health Service. It is quite clear that the staff on duty cannot be treated as scapegoats by patients or their relatives.
Ten months ago the hospital administration established 24-hour security at the Emergency Department along with screening of patients. This procedure, which has the full support of staff and patients, ensures the prioritised handling of emergency patients. The operation of the Health Centre in Corfu Town has also helped to alleviate the pressure on the Emergency Department by dealing with more minor incidents.
It is clear that we shouldn’t be content to just settle for the significant reduction in such incidents against the staff following the reorganization of the Emergency Department. Ensuring the safety of the hospital staff is one of the administration’s primary responsibilities, which is why we have proceeded with this complaint. Besides showing our attitude towards the specific incident, it also sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate this type of behaviour towards our staff.”
The report was sent to the police following the complaint of a hospital doctor on 15th January that he had been verbally abused on 4th January by the relative of a patient who was being examined in the Emergency Department.
The hospital director, Phivos Kakavitsas, said, “The hospital administration declares categorically that it will not tolerate this type of behaviour towards hospital doctors. These doctors, despite the financial difficulties that exist, don’t take the easy way out and go abroad, but choose to stay here and work to support this hospital and the National Health Service. It is quite clear that the staff on duty cannot be treated as scapegoats by patients or their relatives.
Ten months ago the hospital administration established 24-hour security at the Emergency Department along with screening of patients. This procedure, which has the full support of staff and patients, ensures the prioritised handling of emergency patients. The operation of the Health Centre in Corfu Town has also helped to alleviate the pressure on the Emergency Department by dealing with more minor incidents.
It is clear that we shouldn’t be content to just settle for the significant reduction in such incidents against the staff following the reorganization of the Emergency Department. Ensuring the safety of the hospital staff is one of the administration’s primary responsibilities, which is why we have proceeded with this complaint. Besides showing our attitude towards the specific incident, it also sends a clear message that we won’t tolerate this type of behaviour towards our staff.”
