Unsafe situations, intimidation, and harassment continue to affect large numbers of healthcare workers in the Netherlands, despite years of campaigns, safety policies and political attention. Recent figures show that hostilebehaviour remains a daily reality for many professionals in the sector.
NOS reports that nearly six out of ten healthcare and social work professionals experienced aggression from patients ortheir family and friends in 2024, according to data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). CBS figures indicate that this percentage has barely changed since 2020 and was already around 60% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The issue gained nationwide attention in 2024, when healthcare workers briefly stopped work following the fatalstabbing of a mental healthcare employee in Heerlen. NOS notes that the protest was intended to highlight the growing risks staff face.
Limited impact of safety measures
Hospitals and care institutions have introduced several safety measures in recent years. NOS states that reportinghotlines have been set up and more security guards have been deployed. The government also launched the “Be yourself, count to 11” campaign to encourage respectful behaviour. In addition, Parliament has repeatedly raised questions about violence in youth care, emergency services and healthcare in general.
Despite these efforts, progress remains limited. Newspaper Metro reports that the measures taken so far have not led toa clear decline in incidents. Recent CBS data shows hardly any improvement compared to earlier surveys.
Verbal abuse and high-risk professions
CBS statistics reveal that verbal abuse is the most common form of hostile behaviour. NOS reports that nearly half of the affected employees experienced shouting and name-calling, while about a quarter faced bullying. One in fiveencountered physical violence, and around 10% reported threats or intimidation. The Dutch Association for Nursing Professionals (V&VN) emphasises that aggression takes many forms, including discrimination and sexual harassment, and is not always immediately visible.
Certain professional groups are especially vulnerable. NOS indicates that social workers and those working in group homes and residential settings are most affected, with nearly eight in ten reporting incidents. These employees often work in mental health and disability care and have intensive contact with clients. V&VN explains that this close interaction increases the risk of confrontations.
Differences between employees and work pressure
Men and women experience hostile behaviour at similar rates, but the forms differ. NOS observes that men more often face threats and intimidation, while women more frequently face sexual harassment. Metro adds that youngeremployees are more likely to experience such incidents than older colleagues.
Workload also plays a major role. NOS reports that healthcare workers who experience excessive workloads are more likely to face aggression than those with manageable schedules. V&VN describes this as a vicious cycle in which staff shortages and time pressure increase frustration among patients and families, leading to more conflicts and further strain on employees.
Problems are not limited to patient interactions. Metro notes that about one in three workers also experience bullying or exclusion from colleagues or managers.
Mental impact and structural challenges
Despite these challenges, many healthcare professionals remain strongly committed to their work. NOS states thatworkers who experience hostile behaviour are almost as committed to their work as those who do not. However,the mental impact is clear, with higher levels of burnout and frustration among affected employees. V&VN observesthat psychological fatigue is more common among workers who have experienced abuse.
Experts agree that the problem has become structural. V&VN argues that as long as high workloads and staff shortagespersist, violence and intimidation will remain part of everyday healthcare practice. With little improvement over the past five years, current policies appear insufficient, leaving many Dutch healthcare workers to cope with unsafe situations aspart of their routine.
Written by Nicole Bea Kerr