There were 351 reported incidents of abusive, aggressive or inappropriate behaviour in 2024, up from 275 in 2023.
Figures for 2025 have not been finalised but are up on 2024’s total.
The harm to staff has been both physical as well as verbal, including punching, bruising, scratching and pinching, as well as threatening behaviour and intimidation.
Dermot Mullin, director of operations at Health & Social Care, said it operated a zero-tolerance policy towards violence, aggression and any form of abuse directed at healthcare workers.
‘Protecting our staff is a priority, and we will pursue legal action against individuals who commit serious incidents, including prosecution through the courts,’ he said.
‘We are unwavering in our commitment to staff wellbeing. All employees have access to clinical supervision and resilience-based support, ensuring they are equipped to manage the challenges of frontline healthcare.
‘In addition, we are in the process of embedding a network of trained mental health first aiders across the organisation to foster open conversations about mental health and to provide clear pathways to appropriate support.’
He added that to further strengthen the approach, HSC was looking to recruit a violence prevention and reduction adviser.
‘This role will lead a comprehensive review of our current training, education, and staff support systems, ensuring that our workforce is protected, prepared, and empowered to deliver safe and compassionate care,’ he said.
‘Violence and aggression will never be tolerated. HSC stands firmly behind its staff and will take decisive action to safeguard their safety, dignity and wellbeing.’
Jersey has recently run a campaign to highlight this issue, with staff there reporting more than 450 incidents of verbal, physical, racial or sexual abuse in the first eight months of 2025.
The NHS has also been running the ‘No excuse for abuse’ campaign for over five years. In 2024 more than a quarter of its staff experienced at least one incident of harassment, bullying or abuse.
A nurse was hit with a crowbar in a Merseyside hospital last week in a shocking incident.
A man was arrested on the scene on suspicion of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Mr Mullin said islanders could see a similar focused campaign and it was something that would be considered in a forthcoming review.
Health authorities in Jersey relaunched their campaign which features photos of staff members’ children and the tagline of ‘My mummy/daddy works here – please keep them safe’, just before the festive season over concerns that Christmas and New Year brought a spike in incidents.
However Mr Mullin said there was no current evidence to believe Guernsey saw a similar increase in incidents against health workers during the festive season.
Statistics from 2024 showed no notable increase during December and January, compared with the rest of the year.
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