Story Highlight
– Over 295,000 patient assaults on NHS staff reported since 2022.
– NHS staff face rising sexual harassment and violence incidents.
– Christmas period sees a spike in assaults on healthcare workers.
– Trusts struggle with perception and reporting of abuse incidents.
– Health secretary calls for urgent action against workplace violence.
Full Story
NHS staff have reported a staggering number of violent and sexual assaults as incidents of aggression against healthcare workers continue to escalate across the UK. Data obtained through freedom of information requests reveals that between 2022 and 2025, over 295,000 cases of physical violence and aggression from patients were documented by 212 NHS trusts in England. The results of this analysis highlight a deeply concerning trend that has led to calls for urgent action.
Healthcare unions have noted a considerable rise in assaults during the holiday period, particularly around Christmas and New Year. A recent incident in a Merseyside community hospital saw a man, armed with a crowbar, injuring six staff members and patients. Following the attack, authorities apprehended the individual under the Mental Health Act.
Statistics indicate a troubling increase in violent acts reported by hospitals, which have risen from 91,175 incidents in the 2022-2023 period to 104,079 by 2024-2025. This alarming rate equates to approximately 285 incidents reported daily. In addition to physical violence, healthcare professionals have also reported significant rises in sexual assaults and harassment, encompassing acts that vary from inappropriate remarks to severe violations. Nearly 24,000 such incidents have been noted over the last three years, contrasting starkly with about 20,000 documented over the preceding five years.
Professor Nicola Ranger, general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), emphasised the need for urgent attention to this growing crisis: “The scale, frequency and severity of the abuse faced by the NHS workforce make this a national emergency for staff safety.” She highlighted the shocking reality that health professionals, particularly in predominantly female fields like nursing, face the looming threat of sexual and physical attacks.
Healthcare workers reported a chilling array of violent encounters, including assaults with knives and other weapons, alongside the destruction of hospital equipment, which has led to substantial financial losses in damages. Despite the severity of these instances, many perpetrators remain unpunished, facing neither bans from care facilities nor legal prosecution. The British Medical Association (BMA) attributes this uptick in violence to various factors, including frustrations over prolonged wait times for treatment and a growing mistrust in the healthcare system fuelled by misinformation, particularly surrounding Covid-19.
Emma Runswick, deputy chair of the BMA council, noted that NHS staff are increasingly “living in fear of harassment, abuse, violence.” She argued that a lack of adequate mental health resources leads to unacceptable conditions in hospitals, where entire wards may be closed for prolonged periods to accommodate violent patients. These temporary shutdowns are a response to the absence of suitable specialist services for young people suffering from severe mental health challenges.
A risk manager from an NHS trust in northern England described frequent instances of this nature, stating: “Out of a year, we probably have six or seven months where we have at least one ward shut down completely for one patient who is so violent there can’t be other patients on the ward with them.” Such situations necessitate extraordinary levels of supervision, often requiring multiple staff members for one patient, leading to additional strain on already stretched resources.
Runswick shared insights from her experiences in community mental health services, where the threats posed by patients with significant mental health disorders frequently translated into aggression directed at staff. Unfortunately, she pointed out, the deterioration in service quality often exacerbates the situation as patients express frustration over inadequate care. “The cause of their violence is the poor service that we are giving them and all their family members,” she said.
There has also been a notable increase in racially motivated abuse against staff members, particularly in areas where diverse teams serve a variety of patient populations. Runswick noted that there has been a disturbing rise in racially charged incidents within the Greater Manchester area, indicating that such misconduct is becoming more prevalent in healthcare settings.
The data reveals substantial discrepancies in reported incidents across NHS trusts. Of those surveyed, 40 trusts disclosed more than 2,000 violent incidents each between 2022 and 2025. Conversely, eight trusts recorded fewer than ten violent incidents during the same period, raising questions about the accuracy of these records. Experts suggest that many incidents likely go unreported, reflecting a broader issue of underreporting and negligence regarding staff safety.
A recent survey conducted by the RCN indicated that over 27% of nurses reported experiencing physical assaults, while more than 10% stated they had been subjected to sexual harassment within the past year. In response to these troubling findings, Professor Ranger has urged health authorities to take swift action to safeguard NHS workers, highlighting the legal obligations under the Health and Safety Act to ensure a secure work environment.
In light of these pressing concerns, Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting condemned violence against NHS personnel, stating that “violence, aggression, racism, and sexual misconduct against NHS staff is completely unacceptable.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to zero tolerance for such behaviour and announced plans for improved training and preventive measures across NHS trusts.
Furthermore, an NHS England spokesperson reiterated that physical assaults on staff members are intolerable, urging healthcare professionals to report incidents to authorities. The National Police Chiefs’ Council has likewise reinforced its support for a zero-tolerance approach towards violence against health service staff, emphasising the necessity for a collaborative effort to combat this rising tide of aggression directed at those dedicated to providing care.
Our Thoughts
To address the troubling rise in violent incidents against NHS staff, several key measures could have been implemented. Firstly, a robust training program focusing on conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for all staff could help mitigate aggressive encounters. Additionally, better staffing levels and mental health resources are crucial, particularly for patients requiring intensive care, thus preventing the overwhelming of wards which can lead to violence. Implementing stricter reporting and monitoring mechanisms for violent incidents is essential to ensure accurate data collection and enable appropriate responses.
The findings indicate potential breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, particularly regarding the employer’s duty to ensure a safe working environment and prevent exposure to foreseeable risks. The increase in reported incidents highlights the need for NHS trusts to comply with the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, mandating risk assessments and preventative measures.
To prevent similar incidents, NHS trusts must adopt a zero-tolerance policy effectively, which includes not only verbal commitment but also actionable practices to protect staff from abuse, reinforcing a culture of safety and accountability.
