Midwives are the most abused workers in NHS

Midwives report more incidents of harassment than any other group of workers in the NHS, according to a report by the Institute of Employment Studies (IES).

Verbal abuse was the most common form of harassment experienced by midwives but they also suffer from higher than average levels of racial abuse.

Around 38% of midwives have experienced harassment at work, compared with 36% of hospital nurses, and 33% of health assistants. Doctors, administrative staff and other groups also suffer verbal abuse at work.

In addition, 49% of healthcare assistants, 40% of nurses and 20% of midwives have suffered from physical abuse at work.

The results of the report are based on 97,000 questionnaires completed by staff at 99 London NHS trusts between 2000 and 2002.

The findings came as the NHS Security Management Service launches a new strategy to tackle NHS violence. It includes a new national reporting system and a Legal Protection Unit to increase the prosecution rate of individuals who assault staff. UNISON public services union has welcomed the initiative.

UNISON head of health Karen Jennings said: "A safe and secure working environment is integral to the successful delivery of patient care in the NHS. For NHS staff and professionals to be able to deliver the care that patients expect, they need to be able to work without the fear of assault."

Healthy Attitudes: Quality of Working Life in the London NHS, 2000-2002, D Robinson, S Perryman (eds), IES Report 404, £35.00. For copies phone 01727 850761.