NHS staff: have you seen or been affected by violence in hospital?

Violence on hospital wards is a stark reality that NHS workers face every day.

Frustration with long waiting times for care has been cited as a major reason behind an alarming surge in violent incidents involving Accident and Emergency nurses over the past six years. In recent instances, staff have been subjected to verbal abuse, physical attacks, and even assault, including being punched, spat at, or pinned against walls.

This disturbing trend raises serious questions about the state of care within our healthcare system. As A&E nurses deal with a deluge of patients struggling with life-threatening conditions, it is only fair that they receive the respect and safety they deserve.

The Royal College of Nursing has called for an end to these incidents, which often occur when patients become overwhelmed by frustration due to lengthy waits for treatment. We want to hear from NHS staff who have experienced or witnessed violence firsthand – what happened, and was the incident reported? If the police were involved, what was the outcome?

The lack of action taken against perpetrators can send a worrying message that violence will not be tolerated in our hospitals. It is essential that we take steps to address this issue, providing support for both patients and staff to manage their stress and anxiety.

By sharing their experiences, NHS staff can help raise awareness about the need for improved care and safer working conditions. Their stories may be harrowing, but they also hold a vital lesson – one that must be taken seriously by those in charge of our healthcare system.

this is so wrong, i dont no how many times nhs staff has to deal with these kinda situations and its just not right that they have to suffer like that hospitals r supposed to be safe spaces, not battlegrounds we need to take action now and make sure perpetrators get the help they need but also we gotta support nhs staff in any way we can they deserve our respect and kindness

yep I mean come on we've been saying this for ages our hospitals are bloody crazy the staff deserve so much better than to get spat at or physically attacked . it's not rocket science, just treat people with respect and they'll be more likely to calm down . the fact that we're seeing a surge in violent incidents says everything about how overwhelmed the NHS is right now . our healthcare system needs a major overhaul, stat . we need better support for patients and staff alike, like therapy sessions and stress management classes . it's time to take care of our people .

this is just heartbreaking to read - i mean, people are literally being punched and spat at on hospital wards? it's like, can't we find a way to manage stress and anxiety without putting others in harm's way? the fact that the police aren't doing more to hold perpetrators accountable is really worrying... we need some serious changes in our healthcare system ASAP. and yeah, sharing their experiences is a great idea - it's all about raising awareness and taking this issue seriously

it's so shocking to think that NHS workers are having to deal with this kind of abuse every day ! I mean, can you even imagine going to work and being spat at or punched? it's just not acceptable! The fact that patients are feeling so overwhelmed by waiting times is a clear sign that we need to reform our healthcare system ASAP . More support for staff, better resources, and more funding for A&E departments would make all the difference . We need to create a culture of respect and understanding in our hospitals, not one where violence is tolerated . Let's hear from those brave NHS workers who are speaking out about their experiences - we need to amplify their voices ! #NHSworkersUnite #RespectForAll #CareNotViolence

man this is getting crazy nurses are already stressed out enough dealing with all these patients and now they gotta deal with violence too?! it's like we expect them to just take it lying down when they get spit at or punched in the face? no way, that's not okay and i think the NHS needs to step up its game here, provide more support for staff and make sure they're protected from these kind of incidents. and you know what really gets me? it's not just about the nurses, it's about all the patients too... if they're coming in with life-threatening conditions and can't get the care they need on time, that's a ticking time bomb waiting to happen

I don’t usually comment but I think it's crazy that nurses have to deal with this kinda stuff every day . Like, I get that patients are stressed and all, but that's no excuse for being violent towards them or the staff trying to help them . I mean, can't we just try to be a little more patient and understanding? It's not like these nurses are asking for much, just some respect and a safe working environment . I don't think it's too much to ask for our healthcare system to prioritize both patients' needs and staff well-being . It's time we take this issue seriously and start making real changes .