A third of British doctors face violence at work

Jan 10 2008

According to a survey by the British Medical Association (BMA), in the last year one in three doctors was subjected to physical or verbal attacks at work.

The BMA says one in 10 was physically attacked, such as being stabbed, kicked, punched, bitten or spat on, and a third suffered minor injuries - but one in 20 was seriously hurt.

However most doctors who were attacked did not report it to police and the BMA believes this is a concern because it indicates there is an increasing acceptance of violence.

BMA chairman Dr. Hamish Meldrum says the figures are worrying both in terms of the potential numbers involved and the fact that so few doctors tend to report violence.

Dr. Meldrum says the BMA hopes this is not because they feel the problem is not being taken seriously.

He says the government's policy of zero tolerance to violence of any sort in the NHS is supported by the BMA, but the mechanisms must be there to minimise the likelihood of attacks, to support staff who experience them, and to ensure that anyone who commits an act of violence is dealt with appropriately.

Most attacks appear to happen when patients are frustrated with waiting times or angry at a refusal to prescribe medication.

Of 591 doctors in England, Scotland and Wales who responded to the BMA survey, more than half said they had witnessed violence against other staff, such as nurses and receptionists.

The survey revealed that female doctors were more likely to experience violence in the workplace than males and junior doctors were the most likely to experience violence, followed by GPs.

Almost two thirds of psychiatrists reported that violence in their workplace is a problem, compared with a fifth of surgeons.

The majority of doctors have not received any training in dealing with violent patients and only one in 10 has access to a secure facility in which to treat violent patients.

The government has pledged it will tackle violence against hospital staff through the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, which is now before parliament.

The bill contains proposals to tackle nuisance behaviour on NHS hospital premises and the BMA is seeking an amendment so GP surgeries are also covered.