The number of assaults on NHS staff has hit a record high, with 63 being attacked every day.
Figures show 23,009 were reported at hospital trusts across England in 2017/18 – up from 13,417 in 2010/11.
But the number is likely to be higher as not every NHS trust responded to the Freedom of Information request for details.
The chances of staff being attacked on over stretched wards has increased by half since the Tories came to power.
Royal College of Nursing General Secretary Dame Donna Kinnair said: “It’s extremely worrying to find out the number of attacks on hospital staff is relentlessly rising again.
“It shows ministers, the NHS and employers have still not got a grip on this problem.”
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British Medical Association committee chair Dr Rob Harwood added: “Violence against staff is not only physically harmful, but it can be costly. Hospitals have to pay for security services and cover for sick leave. There must be action to tackle this problem.”
NHS staff were injured 8,367 times in assaults in 2017/18.
But trusts recorded just 216 criminal sanctions against attackers.
New laws came in last year giving judges powers to punish thugs attacking A&E staff with heavier sentences.
NHS England said: “We have a zero tolerance policy on violence to our staff.”
