Violence rising as 1 in 7 staff attacked at work

ONE in seven NHS workers has been attacked by a patient, their relatives or the public in the last year, amid rising incidents of violence.

- Hanna Geissler

Some 14.38% suffered violence — up from 13.88% in 2023, but below the record levels from 2020 to 2022 during and following Covid.

Similar to the previous year, one in 12 endured unwanted sexual behaviour including offensive comments, touching and assault, according to the 2024 NHS staff survey.

And 9.25% said they suffered discrimination from patients and the public at work, with more than half saying it was based on their ethnic background.