Violence Against NHS Nurses Doubles Amid Rising A&E Waits in England

Nurses in Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments across England are facing an alarming rise in violence, with incidents nearly doubling from 2,093 in 2019 to 4,054 in 2024, according to data obtained by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). The increase in attacks, which include being punched, spat at, threatened with acid, and even having guns pointed at them, is closely linked to prolonged waiting times, corridor care, and chronic understaffing in hospitals. Several nurses have recounted severe assaults leading to physical and mental trauma, with some forced to take time off or leave the profession altogether. The RCN warns that without decisive government action to address systemic failures in the NHS, including reducing wait times and improving staffing, violence against healthcare workers will continue to rise and jeopardize the government's 10-Year Health Plan. Frontline staff have expressed feeling unsafe at work, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures and systemic reform. The RCN emphasizes that the violence not only affects the well-being and retention of nursing staff but also undermines patient care and safety.