Dr Mick Molloy told The Hard Shoulder he was not surprised to hear about the increase in antisocial behaviour in Mater Hospital.

Last Thursday, the Public Accounts Committee heard about a surge in antisocial behaviour in Mater Hospital, Dublin. 

The chief executive of the hospital told the committee that anti-social behaviour had increased exponentially and was coupled with overcrowding in general. 

The situation has escalated to the point where it has become a factor in the retention of staff within the health service. 

Chair of the Consultants Committee of the IMO Dr Mick Molloy told The Hard Shoulder, he was not surprised to hear about the increase in antisocial behaviour. 

A 2024 IMO Survey showed that as many as 11% of responders had experienced physical abuse from a patient or a relative within the previous 12 months and 65% had experienced verbal abuse. 

“I can’t say it’s understandable, but I know the rationale behind it”, Mr Molloy told Newstalk. 

“People are very frustrated with delays in the health service and how it’s impacting getting access to the health service. But that isn't a reason to take it out on the staff trying to do the best they can. 

“There’s no excuse for doing that, no matter how frustrated or angry you might be. It's inexcusable.”

What antisocial behaviour in Mater Hospital means

Mr Molloy said the surge in violence was leading to earlier staff retirement and higher employee turnover which has slowed down ability to treat patients in due course. 

Woman giving birth in hospital with medical team. Picture by: Andor Bujdoso.

Mr Molloy said the aggressive behaviour could in turn be explained by the long wait times before patients are tended to. 

“The previous day's patients are still there and we're being asked to deal with the next day's patients”, he explained. 

“Effectively, the numbers waiting have gone up and up, and the issue is acute bed capacity. 

“Unless we address that, unless we address the adequate space for patients, these episodes of aggression are going to increase.

“If people were seen in a more timely manner, that would help to reduce some of the aggression we face.”

He emphasised that structural difficulties impacting hospitals currently were due to the lack of availability of beds physically available to place patients and not due to any issue with the availability of staff. 

Doctor holding documents in front of crying wife and patient in hospital room. Picture by: Hanna Kuprevich.

“I had a female colleague approach me this week to explain that she'd had a patient who was entered onto her GMS list because there was a disagreement with the previous GP. 

“The person started to harass and track her to the point where she actually had to go to court to get a barring order for the patient. 

“That's a terrible place to be in.”

Main Image: Ireland Ambulance Service.