Italy toughens sanctions against perpetrators of violent attacks on hospital staff

The Italian government has moved to impose tougher measures against people who attack healthcare staff in hospitals in response to a recent surge in violent incidents.

A decree passed on 3 October1 is designed to tackle the growing number of reported assaults on doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals across Italy, which recently drew calls for the military to be deployed to protect staff.2 The decree allows for perpetrators to be arrested at the scene of the crime or up to 48 hours after an attack. Violence against healthcare staff, damage to hospital equipment and other assets, or both, during an assault will be punishable with …