In 2025, the National Police in Spain received 513 complaints pertaining to physical and verbal assaults against healthcare workers, according to the General Commissioner of Citizen Security, Manuel Yanguas Menéndez. He stated that this number represents only a fraction of the real incidents, pointing out that the reporting to healthcare authorities is significantly higher. Yanguas emphasized that the trend suggests a serious issue with underreporting as many healthcare professionals face aggression yet refrain from filing formal complaints.

The report, which was presented during the launch of the Health System Professionals Assault Report 2025, highlights the disparity between these police statistics and the figures reported by the Ministry of Health. For instance, during the previous year, the Ministry documented a staggering 17,070 assaults on medical staff through the National Health System (SNS). This alarming discrepancy raises concerns about the safety and well-being of healthcare workers in Spain, as well as the need for more effective measures to protect them from violence.

Authorities indicate that the violence against healthcare professionals may stem from various factors, including increased stress and frustrations within the patient population, escalating mental health crises, and a general decline in societal respect for medical professionals. As discussions continue on how to better safeguard these essential workers, the need for a comprehensive strategy addressing both the immediate and underlying causes of such aggression becomes increasingly urgent, ensuring that healthcare personnel can perform their duties in a safe environment without fear of assault.