A&E staff have revealed that they face violence or aggression on a daily or weekly basis, with some workers being kicked and others racially abused.

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine surveyed 2,126 staff in emergency departments and found 96% have experienced violence or aggression from patients or other members of the public.

Some 73% said this happened weekly or even daily, and two-thirds said the incidents involved discrimination against them.

One consultant told of how they were kicked in the face by an aggressive patient who was lying on a trolley.

Just 4% of staff members said they ‘always felt safe’ while working in emergency departments.

Some 41% of staff who made a report said their NHS trust took meaningful action.

Launching the RCEM’s new Safe to Care campaign, its president Dr Ian Higginson said: ‘No-one should go to work fearing – or, worse, expecting – to be attacked, intimidated or abused.

‘Nor should they lack confidence that their employers have their backs, or that the judicial system will kick in. Yet, that’s the reality faced by the majority of my colleagues in emergency departments across the country. They often do not feel safe to care for patients.

‘It is an appalling state of affairs which is contributing towards many people seriously considering whether emergency medicine – or even healthcare in general – is for them.

‘Tackling violence and aggression is crucial for the wellbeing of staff, whose dedication to the NHS is all too frequently being repaid in kicks, punches and abhorrent verbal abuse.

‘We know that long waits and crowding are key drivers of this, but that is not the fault of staff – that’s on our governments. Every hour of every day, our emergency medicine teams are there for patients. It’s time staff received the respect and safety they deserve.’

In the survey, staff said the issue was made worse by long waiting times (90%), overcrowding (85%), staff shortages and corridor care (both 65%).

Dr Catherine Hayhurst, co-chair of the RCEM quality in emergency care committee, said: ‘Some of the stories that our members have told the campaign so far have been heartbreaking – but not surprising.

‘Anyone who works in emergency departments knows that violence and aggression towards healthcare staff has become normalised.

‘That must end and we call on policymakers and NHS leaders to help us make emergency departments a safer place for staff.’

Figures released in March from the NHS staff survey of all staff found almost one in seven have been physically attacked by a patient or the public in the last year – the highest rate for three years.

Meanwhile, one in 10 said they had suffered discrimination.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Any acts of violence, abuse or harassment towards NHS staff are completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

‘Everyone working in our national health service has a fundamental right to be safe at work, and it is deeply concerning that so many emergency department staff continue to experience this behaviour.

‘That is why this government recently introduced new NHS staff standards, which set out the steps that every NHS employer across the country must take to prevent and reduce violence and abuse against their staff and help ensure they can do their jobs safely.’

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