The Histadrut Brothers and Nurses announced tonight (Monday) a strike that will take place tomorrow between 10:00 and 12:00 noon in the psychiatric hospitals, following the attack on a nurse in the closed ward at Lev Hasharon Hospital by one of the patients there.
Coincidentally, one of the patients attacked a nurse in a treatment room, bit and kicked her, and even tore hair and skin from her head.
The nurse was evacuated to the hospital for medical treatment, suffering from bodily and mental injuries.
"The writing is on the wall," said Ilana Cohen, chairwoman of the Brothers and Sisters Federation, "for years the Ministry of Health has been standing by and not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement to eradicate violence against medical staff.
This attack would not have occurred at all or ended in nothing if there had been security guards in the closed ward as required by the agreement.
"This situation must not continue, brothers and sisters and medical staff in general must not fear for their lives while working. The Ministry of Health must wake up and immediately implement the agreement to eradicate violence. We will not move on to this agenda and tomorrow morning all psychiatric hospitals "The violence immediately shuts down the entire health care system."
The Psychiatric Association also expressed shock at the case, expressing sympathy and support for the nursing staff.
The union called for the placement of security guards in the operating wards and emergency rooms, and a statement on its behalf read: "The treatment staff works tirelessly for the patients but needs resources to maintain the safety of the patients and staff at work."