London’s NHS leaders unite in showing support to staff affected by violence and aggression from patients

NHS leaders across London have come together to show solidarity against rising levels of violence and aggression by patients towards NHS staff and colleagues. 

London’s health leaders came together with colleagues from across the city’s NHS at a summit on Monday 21 March to discuss potential reasons for the abuse, and share preventative measures, as well as show solidarity in supporting all those affected.

An open letter has also been published, signed by CEOs at every London hospital and ICS (Integrated Care System), thanking the majority of patients who show support to NHS staff, but also advising that violence and aggression will not be tolerated.  

Jane Clegg, Regional Chief Nurse for the NHS in London said:

"It is unacceptable that staff and colleagues working in London’s NHS are facing high levels of violence and aggression from some patients and visitors while simply doing their job.

"That is why I am delighted our city’s NHS leaders have united in sending a strong sign of our commitment to protect and support all those who give so much to care for us in times of need."

Our Trust were in attendance at the summit – Charmaine Robinson and Nicola Rose, who are both nurses, shared their thoughts and experiences, and touched on the Kindness Campaign. 

Vanessa Sloane, Deputy Chief Nurse for the Trust said: 

"The campaign is about mutual respect, courtesy and, above all, kindness. Our staff come to work to care and make a difference—they have the right to expect to be treated as they treat others. It is brave for staff to share their individual stories, and I am grateful to them for this.

"The Kindness Campaign also shows the great diversity of our organisation and the wider NHS, and reflects the many roles across the Trust. It has been great to see the response to the campaign and we have already seen positive changes in the behaviour towards our staff."

The latest published NHS Staff Survey results (2019–20) show 16,113 NHS staff in London reported that they had personally experienced physical violence at work from patients or members of the public at least once in the previous 12 months. It is thought that the number of instances has increased more recently.  

It is also believed that many more incidents go unreported, with staff either not fully understanding their rights or accepting violence and aggression as ‘part of the job’. 

Reports of violence and aggression come from staff working across all areas of London’s NHS, from Emergency Departments to GP practices including homes and community centres, and in all boroughs.