Almost one in three British nurses suffers frequent violent attacks at work, according to new research.

The study, based on a survey of 39,894 nurses, suggested that violence had wide-reaching effects, including problems with recruitment and nurses leaving the profession, increased amounts of sick leave and “burnout”.

Out of ten European countries -including Belgium, Italy and Poland - only France had higher rates of violence, where the figure was 39 per cent. In Germany it was 28 per cent.

A separate study last month found that more than half of British nurses on mental health wards had been physically assaulted at work. A joint report by the Healthcare Commission and Royal College of Psychiatrists said found that nurses working with older people were the most likely to be attacked. Almost three quarters of mental health nurses working on wards for patients with disorders such as dementia reported being victims of violence, with some describing serious injuries, including fractures, dislocations and black eyes.

Nurses’ leaders have called for greater protection for staff, and have even suggested that there should be security guards on some wards. But proposals for dealing with violent patients are still waiting for Government funding ten years after the death that prompted them.

A national training scheme for staff dealing with violent patients was recommended after the death of David Bennett, a schizophrenia patient, in 1998. He was held face down for almost half an hour by four or five members of staff.

At the time the Government set up a group called the Management of Violence project, which submitted proposals for an accredited training scheme and updated guidance to the Department of Health by December 2006. These have yet to be implemented, according to the latest study, reported in Health Service Journal.

One psychiatric nurse said that he was now back at work after receiving a severe shoulder injury. A previous attack had left him with a fractured jaw. He said: “I felt it was very difficult to get the support I needed after I was attacked. There can be a real stigma from colleagues, particularly if you need to access psychiatric help.

“My occupational health doctor was extremely supportive and provided a confidential, safe service. He contacted other healthcare professionals so that I received the care and counselling I needed and also liaised with my line manager so that I had a phased return to work.”

The authors of the new research said: “Staff should be protected by a sound trust policy and incidents should be carefully monitored. Work-place violence is one of the most complex and dangerous occupational hazards facing nurses.

“As its effects are varied, including increased sick leave, security costs, litigation, workers’ compensation, and recruitment and retention issues, it is important to address both its psychological and organisational costs.”

Gail Adams, head of nursing at Unison, the public sector union, said: “It is totally unacceptable for nurses to face rising levels of violence, when all they are trying to do is help and care for their patients. It is clear that, despite efforts to cut violence in the NHS, more needs to be done to protect staff. Prevention is the key, coupled with better training and tough penalties for anyone found guilty of assault.”

Peter Carter, from the Royal College of Nursing, added: “The RCN would like to see employers, the police service and the justice system taking serious action against perpetrators.”

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: “We are developing a proposal for a new accreditation scheme for those who offer training in the physical management of violence.”

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