North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul calls for separate recording of attacks on medical staff in crime statistics.
Reul told the Rheinische Post that attacks on staff in medical practices and hospitals are increasing. Aggression from patients and relatives is no longer limited to paramedics. He wants to capture the problem in figures to gain a better overview.
Medical chambers had already called for tougher criminal law during a Europe-wide action day against violence in healthcare in March. They pointed to traumatic consequences for those affected and risks to patient safety from interrupted care.
Reul suggested special training for employees and alarm buttons for quick police alerts as possible measures. He stressed, however, that not every hospital can be protected with security locks.
