Calls for Action Grow After Surge in Violence Against Healthcare Workers

Incidents of physical and verbal attacks on medical staff in Germany prompt demands for stricter laws and better protections.

A recent attack on a house doctor in Spenge, Germany, left him hospitalized and has highlighted the growing issue of violence against healthcare workers.
A survey revealed that 80% of medical staff in Germany experienced verbal abuse, and 43% faced physical violence over a five-year period.
The Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Association) is advocating for a comprehensive set of measures, including stricter penalties and increased resources for law enforcement and courts.
Medical professionals are calling for the inclusion of healthcare workers in legal protections under Paragraph 115 of the German Penal Code, which currently covers emergency responders.
Healthcare organizations are urging the next government to implement reporting systems and prioritize the safety of medical staff to address what they describe as a societal trend of increasing aggression.