Current status: Answered by Neil Gray on 5 March 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to prevent assaults in hospitals, and what assessment it has made of the effectiveness of any action it has already taken to date.
The Scottish Government have been clear that abuse or assault in any form is unacceptable, and everyone has the right to access care or their workplace without fear.
Health Boards are required to meet their legal duties to protect staff, patients and visitors. All incidents must be recorded through existing systems, fully investigated, and escalated to Police Scotland where appropriate.
The national Violence and Aggression Policy for staff advocates that managers should identify risks and ensure appropriate preventative measures are in place. This has recently been refreshed under the NHS Scotland ‘Once for Scotland’ Workforce Policies Programme and is scheduled to be published week commencing 9 March 2026.
Scottish Government officials continue to work closely with NHS Violence and Aggression Leads and the newly established NHS Sexual Harassment Network to gather information, share best practice, and provide ongoing assurance on the actions being taken across the system.
The NHS Scotland Charter for Patient Rights and Responsibilities also makes clear that individuals may face legal action if they are abusive, violent, or aggressive towards NHS staff, other patients, their carers or visitors while using NHS services.
Emergency workers are also further protected under the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Act 2005. This Government has strengthened those protections by extending the Act, which originally covered ambulance workers, doctors, nurses and midwives in hospital settings or during emergency responses, to also include GPs and other doctors, nurses and midwives when delivering care in the community.