NEARLY 900 assaults were carried out against NHS Fife staff in the past year.

The assaults included 99 cases which were reported to the police during 2020/21.

Linda Douglas, NHS Fife director of workforce, said: "Healthcare staff in Fife have been working tirelessly to care for local people during the COVID-19 pandemic and have the right to carry out their duties without fear of being subjected to violence or aggression.

"We continually monitor the number aggressive incidents reported by staff and regularly audit high risk areas to ensure that appropriate training and support is given to staff.

"This training is designed to help staff de-escalate aggressive situations and prevent such hostility from developing into violent incidents.

“NHS Fife operates a zero tolerance approach to violence against staff, and where incidents do occur, this is reported to police.

"Staff who are subjected to acts of violence are also given comprehensive support post-incident."

The startling figures were revealed courtesy of a Freedom of Information request by the Scottish Conservatives.

"It is absolutely disgraceful to see so many of our NHS heroes in Fife being assaulted," Scottish parliamentary candidate Liz Smith said.

“Assaults against our emergency workers are unacceptable at any time, but these attacks are particularly appalling at a time when they were fighting to protect us from Covid."