A permanent Garda presence in accident and emergency departments because of abusive patients, many of whom were drunk, was called for yesterday by the CEO of the Mater Hospital.
Mr Martin Cowley, speaking at a conference prompted by a Mater Hospital study which showed one in five patients had seriously misused alcohol, said they had been talking to gardaí about having a better presence in the A&Es.
"The biggest area where we come across these problems, and a very visible area, is of course in A&E departments," he said.
In the Mater particularly, many patients were disruptive, he said. There was a level of violence, both verbal and physical. This was particularly so on weekends. "It is just an appalling scenario."
Last year, the hospital recorded "25 critical assaults in the A&E department and 23 verbal assaults. That is what is recorded, I would say you could double that," he commented.
"We've patients lying on the floor, staff are in fear, we've had to increase our security. We're talking to the gardaí at the moment about having a better Garda presence on the floor," he said.
In Scotland, where there was also a drink problem, they had police on a permanent basis in the A&Es.
"That seems extraordinary but I think that is something that we need in our hospitals, particularly in the inner city," Mr Cowley said.
A new survey would reveal that alcohol was a factor in 24 per cent of all cases in the A&E and 13 per cent were actually drunk.
Referring to the proposed two-hour work stoppage by A&E nursing staff on March 13th, he said he had met representatives of the staff. They told him the second-biggest issue was the homeless with alcohol problems.
Mr Cowley had criticisms of what he described as a "pub culture" in this country.
"There is a pub culture in this country and unfortunately this is actually being encouraged by the Government. It is my view that these extended opening hours are problematical and I think that decision should be withdrawn.
"There are far too many exemptions for pubs and nightclubs which remain open virtually all night. This is affecting the young population, with young teenagers in our pubs," he said.
"I take grave exception to the level of advertising on television. We have very sexy ads, gung-ho ads for drinking," Mr Cowley said.This was bound to have an effect and encourage young people.
"My own view is that drink advertising should be banned altogether, just the same as tobacco advertising, if we are taking this subject seriously. And sponsorship for sport - I think that should be curtailed," he said.
Mr Cowley warned that unless these very strong measures were taken the problems would remain.