One in seven NHS staff members (14.4%) experienced at least one incident of physical violence from patients, relatives or the public in 2024, according to the latest annual NHS staff survey.
The survey, which all NHS trusts are required to participate in and ICBs, commissioning support units and other NHS organisations are ‘welcome’ to fill in on a voluntary basis, was completed by 744,358 people.
It also showed that attacks on staff had increased from 2023, where 13.9% had experienced at least once incident of violence in the previous 12 months.
Instances of harassment, bullying and abuse stayed were slightly down compared to 2023, with 25.1% of staff facing this from patients, relatives or other members of the public in 2024, compared to 25.3% in 2023. A further 17.6% of staff also experienced this from colleagues in 2024, it was reported. This compares with 17.7% in 2023.
The survey briefing said these proportions experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse were at their lowest reported level in five years.
It also showed that the number of staff who reported this behaviour had increased in 2024 to 54%, from 51.8% in 2023.
One in 12 staff members (8.82%) also said they had faced unwanted sexual behaviour, including offensive comments, touching and assault. This is a similar level to 2023 (8.79%) when this question was first asked.
Dr Navina Evans, chief workforce, training and education officer for NHS England said: ‘It’s totally unacceptable that NHS staff are facing physical violence, sexual assault and discrimination from patients and the public while at work – and I’d urge anyone affected to report incidents to their employer and the police.
‘We know that the most important way to stamp out incidents of unacceptable behaviour is to give people the confidence to report it, and it is important that the voice of every member of NHS staff is heard through these surveys and acted upon.’
She added that every ICB and trust has now signed up to the sexual safety charter, which was launched in September 2023.
In April 2024, ICBs were told they would receive training materials and policies on how to respond appropriately to disclosures of sexual misconduct or abuse.
A sexual misconduct policy framework for ICBs was then launched in October, for them to ‘adopt and adapt’ to ensure staff members who experience inappropriate sexual behaviours at work are supported.
