Naples, June 15 – Two nurses were assaulted and the triage area of the emergency room at Ospedale del Mare in Naples was left devastated on Sunday afternoon, following a violent outburst by a patient and his father. The hospital management has since closed the department to non-urgent cases, effectively paralyzing healthcare assistance.
Emergency Room Becomes a Battlefield: Ninth Attack This Year
The incident, described as an “unprecedented escalation of violence” by the Facebook group “Nessuno tocchi Ippocrate,” transformed the hospital’s emergency room into a “battlefield.” This marks the ninth aggression against healthcare workers in Naples since the beginning of the year, highlighting a growing concern for staff safety.
One nurse was reportedly headbutted in the face, while another was slapped when attempting to de-escalate the situation. The attacker also allegedly tried to disarm a security guard. The physical damage included destroyed furniture and supplies in the triage area.
Unions Demand Immediate Action and Enhanced Security
The assault has drawn fierce condemnation from various healthcare unions and professional bodies. Anaao Assomed, a union for hospital operators, has called for interventions from the President of the Region, Roberto Fico, to ensure greater security for hospital staff and to implement new criteria for selecting managers that prioritize workplace safety initiatives.
Antonio Cerullo and Angelo Cicatiello of FP CGIL, representing the metropolitan area and ASL Napoli 1 Centro respectively, stated, “We are facing a constant drip of violence that must end. It is no longer tolerable for those who work to guarantee care and assistance to citizens to operate under constant risk.” They emphasized the need for immediate and concrete actions from institutions, particularly strengthening the presence of law enforcement in hospitals, especially during evening and night hours when such incidents are more frequent.
Vincenzo Torino, general secretary of Uil Fp Naples and Campania, echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Workplace safety is not a cost, but a fundamental and indispensable right for which we have been fighting for years. Our emergency rooms are constantly subject to aggression and have been transformed into trenches.” He called for improved security systems and logistical aspects within hospitals to ensure medical and nursing staff can perform their duties without fearing for their physical safety.
The Incident: A Request for Clarification Escalates to Violence
The aggression reportedly began when a patient, classified with a “code blue” for a minor ailment, demanded immediate access to treatment. This request quickly escalated into a violent confrontation. The patient’s father allegedly joined the assault, further exacerbating the situation.
In response to the chaos, the management of Ospedale del Mare, located in the eastern district of Ponticelli, decided to halt the acceptance of non-urgent patients, restricting access only to the most severe cases. Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene to restore order.
Joint Statement from Medical and Nursing Orders
The Order of Surgeons and Dentists of Naples and Province, along with the Order of Nursing Professions of Naples, issued a joint statement condemning the attack. They stressed that it is “unthinkable to calmly carry out one’s work of assistance and care in healthcare feeling like in a trench.” They strongly denounced the worsening phenomenon of aggression against healthcare personnel, which jeopardizes the physical and moral integrity of doctors and nurses, as well as the safety of patients.
Both orders urged institutions to enhance police controls in emergency rooms and to implement urgent procedures to reinforce staffing levels, especially in anticipation of the upcoming holiday period.
