The figures obtained by the trade union Unison say the biggest leap was in A and E departments, where reported attacks went up by 21% from 15,469 to 18,720.
Steve Fouch from the Christian Medical Fellowship told Premier: “We’ve faced a number of situations where people have reported to us – and we’ve heard from other sources – about the increasing violence that happens, particularly in places like A and E departments.”
Steve explained: “I think a lot of it is at a verbal level…a lot of it is not necessarily physical violence but the alarming thing is the amount of physical attacks; shoving, pushing, hitting and more serious assaults are becoming more commonplace.”
The data also suggests that in places that are most stretched, assaults were more likely.
Trusts which treated 90% or fewer of their patients within 18 weeks of referral saw an average increase in reported assaults of 36.2%.
Steve Fouch said of this: “I think there is a very definite link – we have very overstretched units, particularly at A and E departments but also GP surgeries and elsewhere.”
“I’ve no doubt that that is a contributory factor,” he said.
Steve added that this frustration may not just come from those in pain: “Quite often it’s a relative or someone who is with them who might be frustrated on their behalf – it’s recognition that there are a lot of pressures now on staff but also on…
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