FIVE NHS staff a day in Gwent were physically or verbally attacked during 2015/16, according to new figures.

There were 872 incidents of what Aneurin Bevan University Health Board describes as ‘physical abuse, assault or violence’ in the year to March 31.

And in the same 12-month period, staff reported 949 incidents of verbal abuse or disruption.

Last year’s figure for physical attacks was down from 1,067 in 2014/15, but nevertheless contributed to a catalogue of violence against NHS staff in Wales that approached 4,000 incidents.

And last year’s 949 verbal abuse or disruption incidents in Gwent was almost 45 per cent up on that for 2014/15.

Over the past five years in Gwent there has been a total of 7,501physical or verbal attacks on staff.

A health board spokesman said the increase in reported verbal abuse is likely a result of staff being encouraged to report incidents.

Taken together however, abuse of NHS staff in Gwent has risen steadily, with overall reported incidents up almost 50 per cent in five years.

“The health board has seen an increase in figures of verbal assaults over the past five years,” said a spokeswoman.

“This rise is due to an increase in staff reporting incidents following training we have provided to raise awareness of the issue.

“Previously, staff members were reluctant to report verbal assault but the health board actively encourages staff to report verbal assault cases.

“With regard to physical assaults, the health board works closely with the police to ensure safety for our staff.

“In addition, we have an ongoing marketing campaign to educate the public that abuse to staff is not acceptable.”

Wales-wide, a mixed picture of abuse toward NHS staff emerges, some health boards reporting increases in physical abuse and/or verbal abuse in the past year, and others reporting decreases. But in all cases, the figures are unacceptably high.