Concerns are mounting over a rise in incidents of violence and aggression directed towards medical personnel across Germany, prompting calls for stricter legal repercussions. Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has publicly advocated for harsher penalties, stating that attacking those who provide assistance to others is “absolutely unacceptable” and requires a resolute response from the rule of law. She emphasized the need to protect medical professionals working in practices, emergency rooms and ambulance services.
The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung – KBV) strongly supports this initiative. KBV Chairman Andreas Gassen told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the problem of violence and aggression is “unfortunately commonplace” and requires a “noticeable penalty”. He urged a revision of criminal law to ensure equal protection for all those who serve the public good, specifically calling for the inclusion of general practitioners and their medical assistants in such legislation.
According to Gassen, a growing segment of the population is exceeding boundaries, harassing and threatening medical professionals. A recent KBV survey revealed that 85% of doctors, psychotherapists and staff members reported an increase in verbal abuse, insults, or threats over the past five years. A significant 48% also noted a rise in physical violence. The survey, encompassing almost 7,600 participants, indicated that 80% experienced verbal violence personally within the last year, with 14% involving police intervention. Alarmingly, over 40% of respondents reported experiencing physical violence from patients within the five-year period, including incidents of kicking, pushing and spitting.
Prior to the current coalition government, both the Federal Medical Association and the German Hospital Federation (Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft – DKG) previously called for improved prosecution and more severe punishment of violent patients. DKG Chairman Gerald Gaß suggested that attacks on hospital personnel should be equated with assaults on firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel. Gassen further stressed the need for consistent action by law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Previous efforts to better protect medical and nursing staff were undertaken under the SPD, Greens and FDP government. The current CDU and CSU viewed these proposals as insufficient and the legislative draft ultimately did not survive the dissolution of that government. Responsibility for a renewed initiative now falls to Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD).
