Sadly, aggression and violence are a daily reality for healthcare providers in Belgium. A large-scale survey of 1,711 professionals by the Vias Institute shows that more than 90% have experienced some form of aggression at work, ranging from verbal abuse (swearing, humiliating language) to physical violence (shoving, kicking, injuring), threats and even sexual harassment.
These figures make it clear that aggression is a matter of more than just isolated incidents: it’s a widespread problem. Healthcare providers are particularly exposed in hospitals: more than a quarter of the survey’s participants had suffered a physical injury due to an assault in the past year.
The consequences of aggression are serious. Victims incur physical injuries or psychological complaints such as stress and sleep problems, and may even consider leaving the profession. As well as the employees themselves, this also affects the quality of care and has a significant financial impact for healthcare institutions. How can you protect yourself against this as a sector?
Prevention is better than cure. For example, institutions can limit aggression by investing in:
Vanbreda supports healthcare institutions not just with insurance solutions, but with advice on prevention and policy.
If aggression occurs during the performance of the employment contract, this can be treated as a work accident. The Vias Institute survey suggests that victims often fail to report or document incidents, making the link between violence and injury harder to prove. For a successful claim it is important to:
Victims often need legal support, especially if there’s a criminal prosecution or claim for damages. Legal expenses insurance provides financial and practical assistance with proceedings and compensation claims. It is no mere luxury for healthcare workers.
Aggression in the healthcare sector is an endemic problem. Protect your employees by investing in prevention, evidence collection and a solid insurance package. By doing so, you will limit the impact on your team, but also on your organisation.
We will be running a useful study evening on this subject in spring 2026. Keep an eye on our channels: the exact date will follow.
As a healthcare provider you are responsible for people’s well-being every day. But who protects your rights if a legal dispute arises? Your professional liability insurance is important, but it doesn’t cover every situation. That’s why a separate legal assistance policy isn’t a luxury, but a smart addition.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a pipe dream: it’s a reality, and it’s already transforming healthcare in your hospital. This smart technology helps with diagnoses and predicts the course that an illness will take. This offers tremendous opportunities, but also raises a crucial question: what if the algorithm makes a mistake? Who is liable?
In your care institution, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs and special bicycles such as electric rickshaws are indispensable. They increase your residents’ and patients’ independence and enable them to enjoy outings. However, the Motor Vehicle Liability Law (WAM) has recently been amended, with significant consequences for the requirement for insurance for these vehicles, even if they are only used on your own premises. In this article, we set out clearly what these changes mean for your care institution and how you can make sure you are properly insured.
Are you the victim of an accident resulting in physical injury for which someone else is liable? If so, you are entitled to compensation. Thanks to the new 2024 Indicative Table, compensation for such injuries is now considerably higher. What’s changed and what does it mean? Find out below.