Police were called to an alleged ‘rape’ at a maternity hospital and a report of a sex attack at a children’s hospital in Glasgow, shocking figures have revealed.
Officers are said to have responded to 276 reports of sexual assaults and 12 reported rapes – 288 incidents in total - at NHS sites across Scotland between 2019 and July 2024.
The figures, obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, show that 76 of these were recorded across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, the Scottish Sun reports.
These included three reported indecent assaults and an alleged ‘rape’ at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital on Alexandra Parade, as well as a reported assault at the Royal Hospital for Children in Govan.
The country’s highest total of 20 incidents was recorded at Stobhill Hospital in Springburn.
Meanwhile, 11 incidents were recorded at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and University Hospital Lanarkshire in Wishaw.
Of the 288 reported incidents, 156 are said to have led to charges, with 166 recorded as taking place on wards.
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Last week, the Scottish Sun reported that a 55-year-old healthcare assistant had been charged with an alleged sexual assault at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
Frontline staff, MSPs, and unions are calling for further safety measures to protect staff and patients.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesperson, told the Scottish Sun: “It is appalling that women are at risk of sexual violence even in hospitals.
“These horrific figures show that too many people are being failed. The SNP must work with health boards to improve safety — from improving the availability of single-sex wards to ensuring all hospitals have safe staffing levels.”
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Police Scotland insisted that tackling sexual crime was a “priority” for the force.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram said: “Time and location are no barrier to investigate any report of criminality.”
Meanwhile, a Scottish Government spokesperson commented: “Everyone has the right to access healthcare, or their place of work, without fear of assault.
“Boards have a legal duty to record data on sexual assault, violence and aggression. We strongly encourage staff to report any instances of this behaviour.
“Courts have extensive powers to deal robustly with sexual offending.”
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