‘Choked, spat on, threatened with a knife’: Nurses report worsening patient violence
A survey has found 88% of nurses and midwives have experienced or witnessed occupational violence in the past six months.
Violence against nurses has worsened over six years, a survey suggests, with one in 25 nurses reporting having been choked at work.
The survey of more than 1330 nurses, midwives and carers also found that nearly one in five nurses had been indecently or sexually assaulted in the past six months.
The voluntary survey was distributed to all NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members in 2025.
One nurse said a “confused” patient had held a knife to her throat, while a nurse manager said a patient had subjected a ward to verbal abuse and violence for months.
