Survey finds doctors facing abuse, violence and burnout, prompting the BMA to urge NHS leaders to take urgent action.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has called on NHS England and hospital trusts to adopt a ‘zero-tolerance approach’ to abuse after the latest NHS Staff Survey revealed worrying levels of violence and mistreatment.
According to the survey, one in ten doctors reported being physically attacked by patients or members of the public.
BMA representative body chair Amit Kochhar said: ‘These findings paint a disturbing picture of staff being subjected to completely unacceptable levels of abuse, violence and discrimination in their workplaces.
‘Everyone should feel safe in hospitals – both patients and crucially those who are doing their absolute best to look after and treat them. We appreciate that long waits and lack of beds are frustrating for patients, as they are to staff, but this can never excuse violence or abuse.
‘Trusts and NHS England must take a zero-tolerance approach to all kinds of abuse, and demonstrate they are taking action to tackle it.’
Other findings in the survey pointed to ‘a service under extreme pressure,’ Dr Kochhar said. Fewer than a third of doctors reported having enough staff to do their jobs properly, while more than 80% said they faced unrealistic time pressures. Three-quarters of doctors reported working additional unpaid hours.
The survey also highlighted the impact on doctors’ wellbeing. Four in ten said they had been unwell due to work-related stress, more than a third described their work as emotionally exhausting, and 30% reported feeling burnt out.
Dr Kochhar warned: ‘The impact on doctors’ wellbeing cannot be understated. This is not fair on individuals, not safe for patients and not sustainable for the health service, as more staff are ultimately driven away.’
He urged NHS England to tackle chronic understaffing, a lack of beds and space, and poor terms and conditions.
‘Leaders must tackle the root causes of these pressures to ensure doctors and their colleagues are able to provide safe, quality care to patients, while protecting their own health and wellbeing,’ Dr Kochhar said.
The BMA’s call comes amid growing concern over staff retention and the strain on the NHS. Figures from NHS England show 7.7 million people were on waiting lists in July 2023 and 10.1% of hospital/community staff left the sector in the 12 months to September 2024.
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