Third Of Doctors Attacked

A shocking number of the UK's doctors have suffered physical or verbal abuse in the last year but most did not report it, according to a report.

One in three say they have suffered such an attack while 10% have actually been physically attacked.

These attacks range from being stabbed, kicked, punched, bitten and spat on, the British Medical Association's (BMA) survey on violence in the workplace in the last year said.

Of these doctors, one in three suffered minor injuries but one in 20 were seriously injured.

Most doctors who were attacked did not tell the authorities, which suggests under-reporting but also an increasing acceptance of violence, according to the study.

The reason most cited for the attacks was patients being dissatisfied with the service, including frustration with waiting times and being refused medication.

This has doubled as a cause of violence since 2003, when the BMA last conducted the survey.

Dr Hamish Meldrum, Head of the BMA, said: "These are worrying figures - both in terms of the potential numbers involved and the fact that so few doctors tend to report violence.

"We hope that this is not because they feel the problem is not being taken seriously.

"Ministers have repeatedly stated that there should be zero tolerance to violence of any sort in the NHS.

"We heartily agree. The mechanisms must be there to minimise the likelihood of attacks, to support staff who experience them, and to ensure that anyone who commits an act of violence is dealt with appropriately."

Female doctors were more likely to experience violence in the workplace than males (37% compared with 27%).

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill, currently going through Parliament, contains proposals to tackle nuisance behaviour on NHS hospital premises.

The BMA is seeking an amendment to the Bill so that GP premises are also covered.

(BMcC)