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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A new survey reveals that 96% of UK ED staff have experienced violence or aggression at work, with nearly three-quarters facing it weekly or daily. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine is calling on UK governments to act, citing long waits, overcrowding, and staff shortages as key drivers. Many staff feel their employers aren't doing enough — and some are reconsidering careers in emergency medicine altogether.
A sweeping new survey from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) paints a troubling picture of safety in UK emergency departments. Of 2,126 ED staff surveyed, 96% reported experiencing or witnessing violence or aggression from patients or the public — and for nearly three-quarters, this was a weekly or even daily occurrence. Shockingly, only 4% said they always felt safe at work.
The RCEM's "Safe to Care" campaign is using these findings to push for urgent government action. Staff pointed to long waiting times, overcrowding, staff shortages, and corridor care as the main triggers fueling hostile environments. Meanwhile, fewer than half of those who reported incidents said their trust took meaningful action — eroding confidence in the system meant to protect them.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: When healthcare workers don't feel safe, the entire system suffers. Burnout, absenteeism, and staff attrition in emergency medicine could worsen an already strained workforce — ultimately putting patient care at risk too.
