A NURSE was attacked by a patient in the psychiatric unit of KGH on Thursday, making it the seventh attack since June 7, according to a report in The Journal.ie

The attack took place Thursday morning where a female patient struck a female nurse in the face and head.

Cormac Williams, branch leader of the Psychiatric Nurses Association in Kerry, said that the nurse in question had been left “traumatised and sore”.

While none of the previous attacks were too serious, Mr Williams to The Journal that the ward is the most dangerous working location in Kerry and that the assaults are a result of dwindling staff numbers. Kerry has lost a quarter of its psychiatric nurses in the last few years with those retiring not being replaced.

An inspector from the Health and Safety Authority visited the hospital on Monday to evaluate the situation and an investigation is ongoing.

The unit in Kerry General Hospital has had to deal with extra patients since St Finan’s Hospital in Killarney closed last year.