A large number of doctors become victims of patient violence; encourages the attackers to be punished more severely

The most frightening thing is that the number of cases of violence is increasing. Therefore, it is envisaged that medical workers will be protected by the Criminal Law in the future.

Medical workers began to feel the increase in violence during the past Covid-19 pandemic.

“The principle of self-permission is beginning to form in society,” Liene Sīle, a psychiatrist at the Riga Psychiatry and Narcology Center, believes that one of the turning points was the emergence of the so-called anti-vaxxer movement. It was a time when the most aggressive patients became openly violent.

“If someone, for example, once left the hospital and then cursed a nurse or a doctor, now they do it in the office and still film, record the conversation,” says Síle.

In February, the Association of Latvian Doctors started the campaign “Understand and Support”. During it, a medical staff survey was held.

The initial survey results are alarming. 1,700 medical workers responded, and the majority, or 60%, admitted that they had encountered violence in the workplace.

“It is very often the case that they cannot provide help if a police officer is not present, because there are quite high risks,” Ilze Aizsilniece, president of the Latvian Doctors’ Association, reveals that the most acute problems of violence are in hospital reception departments and the Emergency Medical Service.

Ilze Aizsilniece

President of the Latvian Association of Doctors

For emergency services, the situation is very serious, because they have about 200 police calls a month.

Unfortunately, police calls and reports do not reduce violence.

Taking into account the increasing number of cases of violence, it is planned to make changes in the legislation. It is intended to equate doctors with officials.

Equating medics to state officials, the attacker should expect to be judged within the framework of the Criminal Law.

“It is a certain prevention. People learn pretty quickly that when they mistreat these people, even if they are intoxicated, they are still aware that the consequences can be more serious. We want to protect all our colleagues, but if not, then at least the Emergency Service should be directed,” says Aizsilniece.

The maximum penalty for assaulting an official causing grievous bodily harm is 13 years in prison. You can also receive up to two years in prison for insulting the honor and dignity of an official. The Association of Doctors plans to discuss amendments to the law with experts from the Ministry of Justice in the near future.

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