Malaga Doctors face cutback wrath

DOCTORS believe that health care cutbacks put them at risk of attacks.

Last year, there were 205 physical and verbal attacks against health care workers in Malaga province, reported the Junta de Andalucia

Of those the Malaga Medical Association says a total of just 21 medical staff who suffered abuse at the hands of patients and their families or friends took the matter further with judicial authorities becoming involved.

Twelve of the victims who went to court were women and most worked at health centres. Four attacks were in hospitals, three in the Emergency Department, with the rest in other areas.

The association explains that it is the doctor who has to tell patients that they can’t get a certain medicine on prescription or how long it will take for them to be seen by a specialist, which causes tension and constant reproaches.

Doctors are encouraged to report any attacks as the aggressors can be taken to court where it is considered an attack against a civil servant. Many culprits are fined or have to pay compensation, but no-one has yet been jailed for attacking a doctor.