Safety concerns grow as violence against health workers increases

Rising violence against NHS nurses

IOSH has reported that attacks on Accident and Emergency nurses in England have almost doubled over the past six years.

According to the organisation, figures from the National Health Service (NHS) show that violent incidents rose from 2,122 in 2019 to 4,054 in 2024, representing a 91 per cent increase.

The Royal College of Nursing has reported that cases include nurses being punched, spat at, threatened with acid, and pinned against walls.

IOSH noted that these reports have prompted concern over whether frontline health staff are being adequately protected at work.

It added that recent measures such as issuing stab vests and employing security staff show the extent of the risks facing workers.

A global workplace safety issue

IOSH stated that violence against health workers is not limited to the United Kingdom.

It cited research published in EClinicalMedicine that shows workplace violence in healthcare settings continues to rise worldwide despite decades of prevention measures.

The study reported that abuse against health workers includes physical attacks, verbal aggression and sexual harassment, with prevalence rates varying by region but remaining high overall.

The organisation explained that some incidents are linked to medical conditions, such as patients emerging from seizures or low blood sugar episodes.

It said the greater concern comes from unprovoked acts, such as aggression from frustrated patients or relatives.

Government and policy responses

IOSH reported that the UK health secretary recently condemned the rise in violence, stating: “Nurses dedicate their lives to helping others and deserve to go about their jobs free from violence or intimidation.

“Anyone who violates this core principle will feel the full force of the law.”

IOSH noted that while government statements acknowledge the scale of the problem, it sees such responses as reactive rather than preventative.

The organisation explained that prosecutions occur after harm has taken place, whereas a proactive approach is needed to reduce risks before incidents happen.

It added that policy makers should consider systemic pressures such as long waiting times and missed appointments that may escalate aggression.

IOSH recommendations for safety professionals

IOSH said that safety and health professionals have a duty to recognise workplace violence as an occupational hazard and apply the same prevention principles as they would for other risks.

The organisation advised that risk assessments should include psychosocial hazards such as aggression, which are often under-rated in workplace safety reviews.

It recommended the adoption of zero-tolerance policies, with clear procedures supported by staff training and public communication in hospitals.

It explained that conflict management and de-escalation training can also support staff in high-pressure environments such as emergency departments.

IOSH further highlighted the need to avoid lone working in areas where aggression is more likely, and to provide reliable alarm systems for raising alerts when staff are at risk.

Impact on health workers

IOSH reported that the consequences of violence extend beyond physical harm.

It said affected staff face increased risks of stress, burnout and mental health problems, which contribute to staff leaving the profession.

The organisation explained that the wider system impact includes staff shortages, reduced capacity in health services and longer waiting times.

It added that debriefing sessions after incidents can help staff address trauma, but preventative measures remain essential.

IOSH also noted that research into effective prevention methods requires further funding.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

IOSH explained that workplace violence should be managed with the same structured approach used for other hazards across all high-risk industries.

It said lessons from healthcare apply to any sector where staff face unpredictable public interactions.

For fire and safety professionals, this includes developing robust risk assessments, enforcing clear policies and ensuring rapid response systems are in place.

The organisation added that integrating psychosocial hazards into workplace safety frameworks is essential to protecting workers across different settings.

Safety concerns grow as violence against health workers increases: Summary

IOSH has reported that attacks on NHS Accident and Emergency nurses in England rose by 91 per cent between 2019 and 2024.

The organisation cited NHS data showing incidents increased from 2,122 in 2019 to 4,054 in 2024.

The Royal College of Nursing has confirmed cases of physical assaults and threats against staff.

IOSH noted that violence against health workers is also a global problem.

Research published in EClinicalMedicine shows that violence in healthcare settings continues to increase worldwide.

The UK health secretary has said that offenders will face legal consequences.

IOSH stated that prosecutions are reactive and do not prevent incidents.

It recommended proactive measures including risk assessments, zero-tolerance policies and staff training.

The organisation added that workplace violence has long-term effects on health worker wellbeing and service delivery.

IOSH reported that funding for prevention research remains limited.