The Ministry of Health records over 18,500 assaults on healthcare professionals in the National Health System in 2025

The Secretary of State for Health, Javier Padilla, at the presentation of the report

The Ministry of Health has presented its annual report on assaults on healthcare professionals in the National Health System for 2025. The data, compiled from information submitted by the autonomous communities, shows that 18,563 assaults were reported last year, equivalent to 24.37 assaults per 1,000 professionals in the public healthcare system.

Year-on-year, the number of reported assaults increased by 1,493 cases compared to 2024, representing an 8.74% increase. However, the report indicates that the growth rate has moderated compared to previous years, with an increase of 15.74% between 2023 and 2024.

Most of the reported incidents were non-physical aggressions, including insults, threats, and intimidating behaviour. In 2025, these situations accounted for 84.5% of all reported aggressions, while physical aggressions made up the remaining percentage.

By level of care, Primary Care accounts for the largest number of reported aggressions (51%), followed by Hospital Care (47%). Out-of-hospital emergencies represent a smaller percentage of the total reported incidents.

The analysis of the reports also shows that women account for the majority of aggressions. Specifically, 80% of the reported assaults affected women, compared to 20% affecting men. This distribution is related to the composition of the healthcare workforce, where approximately 76% of professionals are women.

In terms of age, the majority of assaults are among professionals between 25 and 55 years old, with the 25-35 age group registering the highest number of reported incidents. By professional category, physicians and nurses continue to be the groups that register the highest number of assaults, which is explained by their direct and constant contact with patients and their companions throughout the care process.

In most cases, the aggressor is the patient themselves, accounting for 71% of reported assaults, while 29% are perpetrated by family members or companions.

Regarding the sex of the aggressor, men represent 57% of cases, compared to 43% for women, among the assaults for which this information is available.

Regarding recidivism, the report indicates that 53% of the assaults were committed by first-time offenders, while 27% of the aggressors had already been involved in previous incidents, demonstrating the existence of a group of users with repeated violent behaviour toward healthcare staff.

Regarding the causes of the assaults, the report indicates that the most frequent reasons are related to the care received (29%), followed by demands from the user or patient themselves (28%), and those associated with the healthcare or administrative procedure performed (15%). Compared to 2024, these three categories show a slight decrease-from 32% to 28% for user demands, from 32% to 29% for care received, and from 17% to 15% for the healthcare or administrative act itself-reflecting a moderate change in the distribution of the factors that trigger these incidents.

The assaults occur primarily in consultation rooms and areas of direct patient care, followed by inpatient wards and emergency departments. These environments have greater interaction with users and their companions, which increases exposure to conflict situations.

The report highlights that the increase in reported incidents in recent years may be linked, among other factors, to greater awareness and a culture of reporting among professionals, as well as to improvements in incident reporting and communication systems within healthcare services.

Health authorities continue to develop action protocols, awareness campaigns, and systems for recording assaults, with the aim of strengthening prevention, improving the institutional response, and ensuring support for affected professionals.

In parallel, the Draft Law on the Framework Statute for Statutory Personnel of Healthcare Services, currently pending processing, incorporates measures aimed at strengthening the protection of professionals. These measures include recognising healthcare personnel as public authorities while performing their duties, with the aim of strengthening their protection against attacks and guaranteeing due respect for their work.

The Ministry of Health reiterates its commitment to zero tolerance for any form of violence against healthcare professionals and emphasises the importance of continuing to strengthen coordination between public administrations, health services, and security forces to prevent these incidents and ensure safe healthcare environments.

Non official translation