New data from the latest NHS Staff Survey shows an alarming rise in violence, abuse, and unwanted sexual behaviour towards NHS staff in England, reaching the highest levels in three years.
Key Findings
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Physical attacks:
Nearly 1 in 7 NHS staff (14.47 %) reported being physically attacked by patients or members of the public in the past year – a three‑year peak. -
Unwanted sexual behaviour and sexual safety:
Record proportions of staff reported unwanted sexual behaviour by patients/public, with ambulance staff especially affected (almost 31 %). This reflects broader concerns in mental health inpatient settings, where sexual safety remains a priority and organisations are urged to adopt zero-tolerance policies, robust reporting systems, and trauma-informed care practices. -
Discrimination:
Around 9.3 % said they were subjected to discrimination by patients/public – also the highest on record. -
Work engagement:
Most staff (87.78 %) still felt their role made a difference to patients, though fewer would recommend their workplace compared with last year.
Clinical Context
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In mental health wards, restrictive interventions such as physical restraint and seclusion are sometimes used for safety, but can increase conflict or trauma if overused. Staff safety and patient wellbeing require that these measures are applied as a last resort, following least-restrictive principles.
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Incidents of violence or sexual misconduct are tracked carefully to support learning, prevent recurrence, and maintain safe therapeutic environments.
Danny Mortimer, Director General (People) at NHS England, described the results as “deeply worrying”, emphasising that staff must feel confident reporting incidents and that safety and wellbeing are paramount.
Source: NHS England
