"Freedom of information requests by the Guardian have uncovered a sharp increase in the number of reported attacks in hospitals, with an average of 285 each day in 2024-25. Some of the details shared with our reporters were horrifying. One A&E nurse said that she sees weapons brandished on a monthly basis, and described two incidents in which male patients deliberately ejaculated on nurses while waiting for treatment."
"Because the UK's health workforce is so diverse, and interacts constantly with the public, its members are highly exposed to rising anti-migrant sentiment. In November the health secretary, Wes Streeting, expressed shock at the impact on the NHS of resurgent 1970s-, 1980s-style racism. But deeds as well as words will be needed if a disturbing pattern of aggression against frontline workers which is also affecting teachers and others is to be turned back."
Reported attacks on NHS staff in England have risen sharply, averaging 285 incidents per day in 2024-25. Incidents include staff being threatened with weapons, sexual assaults such as male patients ejaculating on nurses, and repeat violent assaults on clinicians. Racist incidents have increased, exposing a diverse health workforce to rising anti-migrant sentiment. The health secretary expressed shock at resurgent 1970s-1980s-style racism. Employers face strengthened duties to prevent sexual harassment under the Employment Rights Act. Managers must make difficult decisions about treating threatening patients. Violence harms individuals and institutions, causing staff absence and ward closures and coinciding with falling patient satisfaction.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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