THE number of reported assaults on Oxfordshire health workers has dramatically increased in two years.

Attacks reported by hospital, ambulance and mental health staff rose more than 100 per cent, from 468 in 2012/13 to 992 in 2013/14.

And reported assaults may just be the “tip of the iceberg”, a Royal College of Nursing Oxfordshire representative warned.

Victoria Couling said: “On many occasions, staff don’t see the point in reporting these crimes as they don't believe anything will change or be done.”

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The figures were revealed by health security watchdog NHS Protect.

Mental health nurse Ian McKendrick, who works at Oxford’s Warneford Hospital, said a national recruitment crisis in the NHS had led to staff shortages.

This created a “confused and stressed environment”, where patients – especially those with mental health problems – were increasingly frustrated.

Reported attacks on Oxford Health’s mental health staff across the county rose 149 per cent, from 277 in 20112/13 to 690 in 2013/2014.

He said: “As the trust tries to save money and increase standards they demand more and more of staff, and they are particularly rushed.”

Oxford Health said any assault was taken “very seriously”, and staff were trained to prevent escalation of violence.

Attacks reported by South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) staff rose 105 per cent, from 65 to 132.

The trust, which also covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hampshire, said staff were reporting assaults more since it introduced an electronic system in April 2013 making it easier to report incidents, after reports in the previous four years hovered around 70.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said attacks on ambulance staff were “sickening” and called for a “zero-tollerance approach”.

He said cases should be prosecuted to send the message “don’t attack NHS staff or you’ll be brought to justice and pay the price”.

SCAS spokeswoman Michelle Archer said any assault on staff was “completely unacceptable”.

At Oxford University Hospitals Trust, which runs Oxford’s John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals and Banbury’s Horton, reports rose from 126 to 170.

The trust said it circulates NHS Protect Guidance to help staff recognise and deal with incidents.

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