CSN News: Assaults against health workers in Spain’s Cities increased by almost a third.

The Policia Nacional reports that physical and verbal assaults against health workers will rise by 29% across Spain in 2024.

Police said that the large increase in violence does not indicate an increase in aggression, but rather shows that the health community has become more aware of reporting violent incidents and is taking a zero-tolerance stance towards all forms of violence.

According to figures released Tuesday, health professionals in urban areas filed 406 complaints last year against patients, family members and friends who had assaulted them.

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There are 91 more complaints than in 2023. The worst incidents occurred in Madrid, Sevilla, Las Palmas.

Verbal abuse grew sharply in 2017, accounting for 70%, while physical aggression, such as pushing, shoving and hitting, actually decreased.

This reduction is the reason why arrests dropped from 115 in ‘2023 to 106 in ‘2023.

In the 10 000 plus police responses to assaults against health workers, 70% of them were conducted by visiting the homes and workplaces of the perpetrators.

The most violent incidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday, while the highest number of conflicts occurs between 10am-2pm.

In 2017, the Policia Nacional began a special program for health workers. More than 40,000 professionals received training by officers in prevention techniques and initiatives designed to cool down aggressive situations.

Around 11,000 people were trained last year, including non-health workers such as porters, administrators, security guards, home care staff, ambulance driver, and civil protection employees.

Students in their final year of university study are also given medical training.