A&E staff say they are being ‘repaid in kicks, punches and verbal abuse’

The Royal College of Emergency Medicine revealed the worrying trend (Picture: Alamy) A&E staff have revealed that they face violence or aggression on a daily or weekly basis, with some workers being kicked and others racially abused. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine surveyed 2,126 staff in emergency departments and found 96% have experienced violence or aggression from patients or other members of the public. Some 73% said this happened weekly or even daily, and two-thirds said the incidents involved discrimination against them. One consultant told of how they were kicked in the face by an aggressive patient who was lying on a trolley. Just 4% of staff members said they ‘always felt safe’ while working in emergency departments. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day in