‘None of us feel safe’: attacks on A&E nurses double in six years as waits rise

The article highlights the alarming rise in attacks on A&E nurses in the UK, with incidents nearly doubling in the past six years. NHS data shows there were 4,054 such incidents reported last year, often involving patients frustrated by long wait times for care. Nurses have experienced a range of violent acts, including being punched, spat at, pinned against walls, and threatened with firearms and acid attacks. The Royal College of Nursing has expressed concern over the growing violence, stating that "none of us feel safe" in the current environment. The article underscores the challenging working conditions faced by A&E nurses, who are tasked with providing care in a high-pressure, potentially volatile setting. The increase in attacks is linked to the growing strain on the healthcare system, with long wait times for treatment exacerbating tensions and fueling aggressive behavior towards frontline staff.