A survey of more than 2,000 workers in UK emergency departments found that violence and aggression have become frequent occurrences in healthcare settings. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine reported that 73% of respondents experienced violence or aggression on a daily or weekly basis, while 96% said they had encountered some form of abuse from patients or members of the public. Additionally, 63% of staff reported experiencing discrimination including racism, sexism, and homophobia.
Emergency department workers attributed the increased targeting of staff to understaffing and overcrowding, which they described as making violence and aggression a “routine” part of working on hospital wards. Long waiting times, staff shortages, and the use of non-clinical spaces for patient care were cited as main contributors to the hostile environment. Staff reported instances ranging from verbal abuse to physical assault, with some describing the experience as psychologically taxing regardless of preparedness.
The mental health impact on workers is significant, with 75% of survey respondents reporting short-term stress and anxiety, 40% experiencing burnout, and 28% dealing with long-term stress or anxiety. Only 4% of those surveyed said they always felt safe in their A&E environment. Leaders of the professional body have called for urgent government action to accelerate efforts in reducing waiting times and overcrowding.
Broader data obtained earlier this year revealed that more than 295,000 incidents of physical violence and aggression by patients against staff were recorded by 212 NHS trusts in England between 2022 and 2025. The number of violent incidents rose from 91,175 in 2022-23 to 104,079 in 2024-25, averaging about 285 reported cases daily in the most recent year. Government officials stated that new NHS staff standards have been introduced to address the issue and ensure worker safety.
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