ATTACKS on NHS staff by patients have soared by more than 80 per cent over the past three years in Glasgow, shock new figures show.

The Evening Times can reveal the toll of abuse, doctors, nurses and other staff are suffering in hospitals and health centres across Greater Glasgow.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recorded 4,466 physical assaults on staff from April 2014 to March 31 this year – about 12 a day.

Union leaders described the figures as "appalling" and cited health service cuts as partly to blame for the surge in patients lashing out at staff.

The highest figure – 638 – was at the Rowanbank Clinic, in Balornock, a psychiatric unit at Stobhill hospital.

A total of 521 incidents were recorded at Gartnavel Royal hospital and staff were assaulted 518 times at Leverndale Hospital.

Figures obtained by Freedom of Information laws, also show staff at the former Yorkhill children’s hospital were subjected to 318 physical assaults last year, higher than the Royal Infirmary, which recorded 224 incidents.

The number of attacks on staff has risen sharply from 2012 to 2015. In 2012 there were 2,565 assaults.

The figures also show that police have been called to NHS GGC hospitals and health centres 2,723 times over the past three years and 1,689 of those incidents were for violent behaviour.

There were six recorded incidents of stalking by patients. However, the figures have shown a drop in the number of recorded incidents of verbal abuse towards staff over the past three years.

From April 1 last year to March 31 this year, there were 205 incidents logged, compared with 309 in 2012.

The highest numbers were at psychiatric units, the Royal Infirmary and the former Southern General.

A spokesman for Unison Scotland, said: “These figures are appalling and Unison thank the Evening Times for highlighting them.

"I am afraid however they do not surprise us.

"We see many Unison members who have been attacked, harassed and generally badly treated by patients and their families.

"NHS staff have patients best interests at heart and they are entitle to carry out their duties without fear of attack.

"There is no doubt that the cuts in public services more generally increase the pressure and stress on everyone.

"We are convinced that this is, in part, what is behind such a large increase. However this is no excuse for violence against anyone who is trying carry out their duties at work.

"Unison continue to work with the NHS and others to protect staff as best we can.”

A spokesman for NHSGGC said: “NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has a strict zero-tolerance policy towards violence against our staff who are entitled to work free of threats, assaults and intimidation, and we take very seriously any act of physical or verbal abuse.

“We fully encourage staff in their pursuit of taking the perpetrators of violence against them through the justice system and offer extensive support to any member of staff who has been assaulted either physically or verbally.”

The figures recorded incidents of violent behaviour towards staff at 59 hospitals, health centres and clinics across the board area last year.

The penalty for convictions under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005 is up to 12 months imprisonment, a £10,000 fine or both.

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk