Physical abuse of Bucks NHS staff nearly doubled last year
In 2022, 173 physical assaults and 219 incidents of verbal abuse were reported
The number of reports of physical abuse of NHS staff in Buckinghamshire has nearly double in the last year, compared to the year before.
At the same time, incidents of verbal abuse reported almost tripled year on year.
In 2022, 173 physical assaults and 219 incidents of verbal abuse were reported by staff at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. That's compared to 85 and 159 incidents in 2021, respectively.
It comes as the Trust has launched their 'There's No Excuse' campaign to urge people using local health and care services to treat staff with kindness and respect. The campaign highlights the impact that abusive behaviour can have on staff during their work.
Karen Bonner, Chief Nurse at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "We fully understand the anxieties, stress, and worry caused by delays to appointments following the COVID-19 pandemic and the unprecedented levels of demand we’re currently experiencing across our services.
"Staff working in our hospitals, community settings or visiting patients in their own homes are also experiencing high levels of stress and worry. My request of you is to treat our staff with respect – they are working incredibly hard in challenging circumstances to keep you, your family members, and their colleagues safe after an extremely difficult couple of years.
"Everyone should be entitled to work in an environment where they feel safe and free from aggression or abuse. The vast majority of those who are treated by our staff are grateful for the care they receive, and we're grateful to them for continuing to give staff the respect and kindness they deserve.
"However, we have seen a worrying increase in aggression and abuse towards our health and care staff in a range of settings. This is completely unacceptable, and the campaign message is very clear that it will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
"Abuse takes many forms - it doesn't have to be physical violence. Our staff are facing high levels of racist and sexist verbal abuse which can take a huge toll on someone's wellbeing. In time, this kind of abuse wears people down and can lead to increased sickness and absence and in some cases valuable healthcare professionals leave their jobs for good."