Assaults on Nurses in the Canary Islands Rise 29.1% in 2025

Aggressions occur both in hospitals and in health centers and emergency services, with verbal incidents (threats, insults, demeaning remarks) predominating, although physical violence is also frequent.

Aggressions against nurses in the Canary Islands increased by 29.1% in 2025, rising from 192 the previous year to 248, according to data from the Canary Health Service (SCS) released on Thursday by the Nursing Union, SATSE.

Overall, the number of assaults suffered by SCS staff grew from 544 in 2024 to 664 in 2025, confirming an upward trend that deeply concerns the union.

• 2025: 68 physical assaults, 524 verbal assaults, and 72 mixed assaults.
• 2022: 296 assaults on health professionals (18 physical, 243 verbal, 35 mixed).
• 2023: 431 assaults – a 45 % increase over the previous year.
• 2024: 544 assaults – 23 % more than in 2023, roughly two assaults per day.

Nursing and Physiotherapy Professionals

• 86 assaults in 2022 → 153 in 2023
• 185 assaults in 2024 → 243 in 2025

These figures represent a 78 % rise between 2022 and 2023, a 21 % increase between 2023 and 2024, and almost 30 % growth between 2024 and 2025. In just three years, the total number of assaults has jumped 129 %, the union notes.

SATSE emphasizes that these numbers only reflect formally reported cases; the majority of incidents go unreported due to bureaucratic complexity or lack of information on how to file a complaint.

The repeated episodes generate fear, stress, and emotional exhaustion among health professionals.

Ineffectiveness of the Violence‑Prevention Plan

With these data, SATSE questions whether the so‑called Plan for the Prevention of Aggressions against SCS Workers is truly preventive or merely a statement of good intentions. The persistence and rise of violent episodes in hospitals and health centers show that the tools outlined in the plan “are not delivering results” and are failing to meet their objectives. The union therefore demands an urgent review.

SATSE also recalls that in October, Health Councilor Esther Monzón told the Canary Parliament that it was practically impossible to prevent aggression incidents.

“Such statements further highlight the need for concrete measures, because no professional should have to go to work fearing for their safety,” the union points out.

SATSE calls on the Canary Government’s Health Department and the SCS leadership to adopt “urgent and effective” measures to stop the yearly increase in assaults, requesting a specific meeting within the Health Sectorial Table.

Main Demands

• Creation of a Canary Health Aggression Observatory to rigorously collect and analyse data, identify risk factors by centre and service, and design tailored preventive strategies.
• Implementation of security protocols and mandatory training in conflict management and tension handling, along with alarm systems and psychological support.
• Permanent presence of security personnel and public‑awareness campaigns aimed at both the population and public administrations.
• Guarantee that no act of violence goes unreported, providing legal assistance and real protection for assaulted professionals.

“It is unacceptable that caring for people’s health can entail a daily risk of physical or verbal aggression for those who work with dedication and commitment. We demand zero tolerance and real measures that guarantee professionals’ safety,” SATSE declares.

The union also notes that aggression against health workers is not an isolated problem in the Canary Islands; it reflects a broader trend observed across the national health system.