14 attacks on doctors in 2023

14 violent incidents against doctors were recorded on Lanzarote last year, according to the Canarian Medical Schools. In the Canaries as a whole, the total was 152.

80% of attacks in the Canaries consist of threats and violent behaviour, while 20% involve physical aggression and assault.  7% of cases led to the doctor taking time off work, while damage to property occurred in 29% of cases.

Attacks tend to happen to younger female doctors – 57% of the cases were against women and one in three happened to a professional under the age of 35.

Over 70% of incidents resulted after the patient disagreed with the doctor’s care, while 14% resulted from the doctor disagreeing with the patient’s claims.

50% of attacks occur in Primary Care situations such as GP’s offices, 28% in hospitals and 14% in Emergency Departments. 

Marta León, general secretary of the Las Palmas Medical School, said ·This is the tip of the iceberg as many incidents are not reported. We estimate that there is around one case a day in our province.”