“Nurses at Llandudno General Hospital in North Wales have been subjected to insults, and the facility has been facing disruptive incidents, including flooding of toilets and intentional damage such as setting a mattress on fire in a storage room. The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service had to intervene to ensure the safety of the site. Three public bodies – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Conwy County Borough Council, and North Wales Police – have come together to condemn the ongoing anti-social behaviour that the hospital staff have been facing. The incidents include verbal abuse towards nurses by young individuals and unauthorized access to the hospital premises after hours. Security personnel have been assigned to conduct out-of-hours patrols to address these issues.
Nichola Hughes, head of intermediate care and specialist nursing at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s Central Integrated Health Community, expressed her concerns over the disruptive behaviour, stressing that such actions have no place near a healthcare facility. She urged the community to report any suspicious activities around the hospital to ensure the safety of everyone. One distressing incident involved a young individual smashing a wine bottle and smearing blood over windows and walls, creating an unnecessary biohazard situation that diverted healthcare professionals from their crucial duties of attending to patients.
North Wales Police and the Health Board are working together to address these reckless behaviours at the hospital. District Inspector Catherine Walker emphasized that such incidents not only endanger patients and staff but also place an additional strain on resources. She called on parents and caregivers to educate young people about the unacceptability of such actions. Conwy County Borough Council has also expressed its dismay over the treatment of hospital staff, with Councillor Geoff Stewart emphasizing that abuse and anti-social behaviour towards public sector workers providing essential services are unacceptable.
The Health Board reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, threats, aggression, or criminal damage within its premises, reaffirming its commitment to upholding the law to prevent such incidents. The ongoing disturbances at Llandudno General Hospital underscore the need for collective efforts to maintain a safe and respectful environment for both patients and healthcare providers. With security measures in place and collaborative actions by the authorities, steps are being taken to ensure the well-being of all individuals at the hospital and to prevent further disruptive incidents.”