From 2022 to 2025, there were 295,000 violence-related incidents towards health professionals across England. The latest NHS Staff survey showed that these reported incidents have risen steadily since 2023, more than half of which were reported as targeting staff because of their ethnic background. What’s more is experts say this increase has rose steadily in line with anti-immigration sentiments and the 2024 summer riots in last few years.
This is absolutely unacceptable. With many members of our community being established healthcare professionals, it is vital that we not only raise awareness of this issue but provide tangible support for those that face abuse and discrimination. I know from speaking with residents who are healthcare workers that these experiences are all too familiar.
The Health and Safety Executive define work-related violence as ‘any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work’. This includes verbal abuse, threats and face to face interactions, online or via the telephone. The impact of these incidents on our healthcare workers across London has been profound and lasting. Worse yet is that this is often seen as simply ‘part of the job’ when working in the healthcare environment. But this cannot continue as the norm.
During the pandemic, we all saw firsthand just how important healthcare professionals are to our everyday wellbeing. In many ways, they are the backbone of our society. But their value is not reflected in the way they are treated. Their dedication is far too often met with hostility which can, in some cases, even put them in danger. One report I recently heard even described a paramedic being assaulted whilst tending to a patient, and another where a brick thrown through the ambulance window.
At a recent Health committee session, we welcomed health professionals from around London to hear accounts of the shocking incidents key workers face on a daily basis. Most shocking of all was how frequent and extreme these experiences are.
I know that many of you will, at some point, have faced incidents very similar to these. At a time when division feels very deep, it is more important than ever to stand together in defence of healthcare professionals. Their dedication, compassion and resilience keep our city running. Only through creating a culture where this treatment is never tolerated can we protect our vital healthcare workers.
