Survey reveals widespread violence and aggression against UK A&E staff

A survey of over 2,000 emergency department workers by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) has revealed that 73 percent of staff experience violence or aggression on a daily or weekly basis. According to the findings, 96 percent of respondents have experienced abuse from patients or members of the public, while 63 percent reported suffering discrimination including racism, sexism, and homophobia. Only 4 percent of those surveyed stated they always felt safe working in A&E.

Health leaders and staff cited systemic issues as primary drivers of the abuse. Respondents identified long waiting times, overcrowding, staff shortages, and corridor care as key factors. Dr. Ian Higginson, president of the RCEM, stated that the current state of affairs is contributing to staff considering whether emergency medicine or healthcare in general is for them. Specific incidents reported in the survey included a consultant being kicked in the face by a patient on a trolley and a resident doctor describing racially charged verbal abuse.

Data obtained by The Guardian indicates that violent incidents recorded by 212 NHS trusts in England rose from 91,175 in 2022 to 2023 to 104,079 in 2024 to 2025. This averages to approximately 285 reported cases per day in the most recent year. Additionally, 40 percent of survey respondents reported experiencing burnout, and 75 percent reported short term stress and anxiety.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care stated that violence and harassment towards NHS staff are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The spokesperson noted that the government recently introduced new NHS staff standards to help employers prevent and reduce abuse. While ministers have pledged to improve key waiting times by 2029, professional bodies have called for faster action after targets were missed in March.