Southmead Hospital ED Specialist Registrar Dr Tom Roberts and Consultant Dr Edd Carlton have co-authored an important study, which is the first national analysis of its kind about interpersonal violence, like that involving knives.
The study found that at least two school-aged children die each month from knife injuries in England, with most fatalities resulting from a single stab wound. The University of Bristol-led research offers critical insights that could help inform future prevention strategies.
The research, published in Emergency Medicine and Frontiers in Sociology, reveal a rise in knife-related fatalities among children under 17, from 21 deaths in 2019/20 to 36 in 2023/24, and highlight the social and environmental factors that put young people at risk.
Dr Roberts, who is also a NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Emergency Medicine at the Bristol Medical School: Translational Health Science (THS) and was lead author of the study, said: “Knife-related fatalities among children and young people are a significant public health concern. Our research identifies where action could be taken to prevent future tragedies and demonstrates the urgent need to support children facing adversity and marginalisation.”
Dr Carlton, who is also a Consultant Senior Lecturer in Emergency Medicine at the Bristol Medical School THS and co-author on the study, added: “The study also gives clinicians a clearer understanding of the potentially injured structures that can quickly become life-threatening.”
At NBT we have been leading a lot of important work with partner organisations in an effort to reduce interpersonal violence. This has involved colleagues in our Emergency Department and Major Trauma, as well as other colleagues, culminating in the development of an injury alert in the CareFlow Narrative form, which is not only beneficial for the patient but also helps provide a richer data source to help reduce instances of interpersonal violence.
Maria Kane, Chief Executive of Bristol NHS Group, said: “It’s important that we do all we can to try to reduce instances of interpersonal violence, such as that involving knives, and as a major healthcare provider and regional Major Trauma Centre, we have been working with partner organisations to try to make a positive difference.
“I’m incredibly grateful to our major trauma and Emergency Department (ED) clinicians, and all other colleagues involved in trying to reduce such occurrences. Research by colleagues like our Southmead ED clinicians Dr Tom Roberts and Dr Edd Carlton is invaluable in highlighting where further action can be taken to try to prevent such tragic incidents happening in the future.”
You can read more about the research on the University of Bristol website.