SOMEONE who attacks a doctor, nurse or paramedic has “almost a 100 per cent chance of getting away with it,” opposition politicians have claimed.

New figures show only 1.5 per cent of attacks on NHS workers resulted in a conviction in 2017-2018.

Data shows there were 2,922 physical attacks on doctors, nurses and paramedics working for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde last year – the highest of any Scottish board.

Across Scotland, there were 12,759 attacks.

During 2017-2018, 190 people were convicted under the new Assaults on Emergency Workers Act, the lowest number in six years, according to the Scottish Conservatives.

The Act covers doctors, nurses and paramedics as well as police, prison officers, custody officers, fire service personnel, search and rescue staff and paramedics.

However, the Act does not include domestics, nurse assistants, catering workers, clerical workers, GP staff or anyone in social care, which was highlighted by Unison in its submission to the consultation process.

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Unison said the latest figures, obtained by the Conservatives under Freedom of Information laws, were evidence that the Act was not protecting a wide enough cross-section of NHS workers.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary said: “It would be unrealistic to expect all reports of NHS assaults to end up in the court room.

“But the fact just 1.5 per cent of physical assaults result in a conviction is a real insult to our brave healthcare workers.

“Progress on tackling violence against NHS staff will never be made unless we start getting tough on those responsible for it.

“As it stands, under this soft-touch SNP government, someone who attacks an NHS worker has nearly a 100 per cent chance of getting away with it.”

A spokeswoman for NHSGGC said: “We have a specific policy on violence reduction and are committed to reducing and deterring such incidents while ensuring staff are trained to deal with situations when they do arise.

“Where staff are assaulted or abused while at work, whether in our hospitals or in the community, we fully support them and encourage them to pursue their abusers through the criminal justice system.”