One in three doctors attacked at work; report

By Rich Bowden, M&C Staff Writer Jan 10, 2008, 11:15 GMT

(M&C) - One in three doctors has been attacked, either verbally or physically, while at work though most have not reported it a survey released today shows.

The study shows one in ten were physically attacked with one in twenty seriously injured as a result of the assault.

The British Medical Association (BMA) said the figures show a worrying tendency to accept a culture of violence against doctors.

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

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

"Ministers have repeatedly stated 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," said Dr Meldrum.

The study showed that violence most often happened when a patient became frustrated at long waiting times or the refusal of a doctor to prescribe medication.

It also showed female doctors to be more likely to experience violence in the workplace than male doctors (37 percent to 27 percent).