The findings were published to mark launch of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine's (RCEM) Safe to Care campaign.  

Dr Ian Higginson, president of the RCEM, 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.'

Over 96% of respondents said they experienced violence or aggression in their ED from patients or members of the public.  More than three quarters (73%) said it was a weekly, or even daily, occurrence and around two-thirds said the incidents they experienced were of a discriminatory nature.  

Just 4% always felt safe working in ED, and barely more than half (57%) felt safe most of the time.  Three-quarters (75%) of staff reported short-term stress and anxiety, 40% experienced burnout, 14% took time off work – and 28% experienced long-term stress or anxiety.  

Fewer than half (41%) of staff who made a report said their trust took ‘meaningful action'.  Many pointed out long waiting times (90%), overcrowding (85%), staff shortages and corridor care (both 65%) were making the problem worse. 

In a new briefing, RCEM called on the Government and NHS leaders to:

• prevent violence and abuse before it occurs – starting with the eradication of long waits to be seen, crowding and corridor care, while strengthening security standards 
• support staff through better training, reporting, follow-up and links with the police 
• improve accountability of organisations to protect and support NHS staff, with better working across systems to ensure perpetrators face justice.
• Reaction

Rebecca Smith, director of staff experience and social partnership at NHS Employers (part of The NHS Alliance), said: ‘The newly published NHS Staff Standards strengthen protections against violence. We have been supporting and encouraging employers to review their current practices in partnership with their local trade unions against the Staff Standards. They must take consistent action where needed to prevent and reduce violence, aggression and abuse in all its forms, with robust reporting systems, compassionate post-incident support, and appropriate training, so staff feel safe and empowered at work.'

BMA consultants committee emergency medicine lead Dr Den Langhor said: ‘No healthcare worker should have to brace themselves for violence or abuse as they do their absolute best, under immense pressure, to care for others. Extremely long waits and overcrowded A&Es can cause huge frustration for patients, but that can never justify abuse or intimidation of staff.'

A DHSC 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.'