Almost 1 in 7 NHS staff (14.47%) were physically attacked by a patient or the public last year – the highest rate for 3 years – according to the latest NHS staff survey.
The shocking statistics also found a record percentage of staff say they were subjected to unwanted sexual behaviour by the same group – rising steeply to almost 1 in 3 ambulance staff (31%).
The data is revealed in the latest NHS Staff Survey out today, one of the world’s largest workforce surveys, established in 2003.
More than 766,000 NHS workers in England responded, providing vital data for employers and stakeholders about the staff experience.
It also found nearly 1 in 10 staff (9.26%) said they were subjected to discrimination from the patient and the public – the highest on record.
An overwhelming 87.78% of respondents to the staff survey felt their job made a difference to patients.
While the number of staff who would recommend their workplace to others fell slightly to 58.05%, from 60.79% in 2024.
For further details and full publication, go to the article, published on 12 March 2026 on the NHS website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/2026/03/3-year-high-in-attacks-on-nhs-staff/