The latest annual NHS staff survey paints a concerning picture of escalating violence and discrimination faced by healthcare workers, as 1 in 7 NHS staff members (14.38%) reported experiencing physical violence from patients, their families, or members of the public in 2024.
This marks a slight increase from 13.88% in 2023, though thankfully numbers remain below the peaks seen during the pandemic years of 2020-2022.
The survey also underscores significant challenges in workplace equality. Discrimination against NHS staff reached a five-year high of 9.25%, with over half (54.09%) citing ethnic background as the primary reason for discrimination faced from patients and the public. These statistics reveal the pressing need for action to address inequities within the NHS.
Equally alarming is the prevalence of unwanted sexual behaviour among NHS workers. In 2024, 8.82% of staff reported incidents ranging from offensive comments to physical assault—a figure comparable to 2023 levels (8.79%), when this issue was first formally surveyed. Learners within the NHS also face challenges; the national education and training survey revealed that 13% experienced or witnessed harmful or inappropriate sexual behaviour by patients.
Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer for NHS England, Dr Navina Evans, commented:
“It’s totally unacceptable that NHS staff are facing physical violence, sexual assault and discrimination from patients and the public while at work – and I’d urge anyone affected to report incidents to their employer and the police.
“We know that the most important way to stamp out incidents of unacceptable behaviour is to give people the confidence to report it, and it is important that the voice of every member of NHS staff is heard through these surveys and acted upon.
“The NHS sexual safety charter has also now been adopted by every integrated care board and NHS trust in England to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to letting unwanted behaviours go unaddressed”.
In response, the NHS has implemented several measures to combat such issues. October saw the launch of a national sexual misconduct policy framework, enabling staff to report incidents anonymously. Additionally, all NHS trusts and integrated care boards in England have signed the NHS sexual safety charter, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance on unwanted behaviours within the workplace.
Despite these challenges, the 2024 NHS staff survey revealed positive developments. Satisfaction with flexible working options reached a five-year high at 57.65%, and the number of staff achieving a healthy work-life balance rose to its highest level (56.61%) since the question was introduced in 2021. Pay satisfaction also improved, climbing from 25.48% in 2022 to 32.05% in 2024. Furthermore, 72.72% of workers stated they feel valued by their line managers, an encouraging sign of growing support within the organisation.
This year’s survey achieved its highest-ever participation, with nearly three-quarters of a million staff members (744,358) sharing their experiences, alongside 43,500 respondents in the national education and training survey. The extensive feedback provides NHS organisations with invaluable insights, helping to shape better working environments for staff and improve patient care.
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