Calls for stricter penalties against assaults on medical personnel are growing, spearheaded by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Minister Warken emphasized that attacking those who provide assistance is “absolutely unacceptable” and requires a decisive response from the legal system. She argued that harsher penalties would send a clear message that society unequivocally rejects violence and aggression directed towards doctors, paramedics and nursing staff, stating that “the personnel in doctor’s offices, emergency rooms and ambulances needs our protection.
The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) strongly supports this initiative. KBV Chairman Andreas Gassen, also speaking with the FAZ, described the issue of violence and aggression as a persistent and unacceptable problem. He advocated for amendments to criminal law ensuring that all individuals contributing to the public good receive equal protection, specifically mentioning the inclusion of general practitioners and their medical assistants within the legal framework.
Gassen reported a significant increase in such incidents, noting that a small group of individuals are increasingly crossing boundaries, harassing and threatening medical professionals. According to a recent KBV survey, 85% of doctors, psychotherapists and staff reported an increase in verbal abuse, insults, or threats over the past five years. A concerning 48% also observed a rise in physical violence. Furthermore, 80% of those surveyed experienced verbal aggression in the past year, with 14% involving police intervention. Over 40% of the nearly 7,600 respondents reported experiencing physical violence from patients within the last five years, including instances of kicking, pushing, spitting and other acts of aggression.
Prior to the KBV, both the Federal Medical Association and the German Hospital Confederation (DKG) had previously called for improved prosecution and harsher penalties for aggressive patients. DKG Chairman Gerald Gaß suggested that assaults on hospital staff should be treated with the same severity as attacks on firefighters and paramedics. Gassen added that consistent action from law enforcement agencies across the nation is crucial.
Previous efforts to improve protections for medical and nursing staff were undertaken by the prior government coalition. While the CDU and CSU felt the proposed measures were insufficient, the legislative draft ultimately did not survive the dissolution of that government. The responsibility for revisiting this issue under the current governing coalition now rests with Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD).