Abuse and violence towards NHS staff will not be tolerated
Croydon Health Services NHS Trust is strengthening the action it takes to protect NHS colleagues from violence, aggression and abusive behaviour.
Our colleagues come to work to care for our patients and community, and they have the right to feel safe and be treated with dignity and respect while doing their jobs.
As part of our strengthened Withdrawal of Care Policy, sanction letters can now be issued to patients following unacceptable behaviour. These letters provide a clear warning about their behaviour, explain what needs to change and set out the potential consequences if it continues.
The approach also applies to unacceptable behaviour from relatives and visitors across our services.
Where incidents occur, appropriate action will be taken depending on the circumstances and severity of the behaviour. This may begin with a clear warning and expectations about future conduct. Where unacceptable behaviour continues, this can be escalated through further formal warnings.
As a last resort, following appropriate review and senior approval, access to non-emergency care may be withdrawn.
We want to be clear: abuse or violence towards NHS staff will not be tolerated. Anyone behaving in this way may be refused non-emergency care. Care will continue to be provided where immediately life-threatening treatment is required.
We recognise that people accessing healthcare can sometimes be worried, frightened or distressed. However, this does not excuse threatening, abusive or violent behaviour towards the people who are trying to provide their care.
By taking a clear and consistent approach, we want to ensure Croydon remains a safe and respectful place for our patients, visitors and colleagues.