No Excuse for Abuse campaign

Experiencing abuse, aggression or intimidation is not an accepted part of anyone’s job, least of all someone who is giving care to those who need it most. We are clear at UHS that we will not tolerate any member of staff being subjected to any sort of abuse, violence or aggression and will support our staff should they be the victim of such behaviour and pursue convictions wherever possible.

Unfortunately, we are supporting an increasing number of staff at UHS, particularly from BAME communities, who have been the victims of abuse or discrimination and in response we have launched a campaign to make it clear that this will not be tolerated at our Trust.

Along with planning training and initiatives within our own organisation, we have launched our ‘No Excuse For Abuse’ campaign featuring staff from clinical and non-clinical roles; all of whom have experienced abuse while doing their job. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the human impact of abuse. The final line on specially-commissioned posters highlights the fact that we will prosecute anyone who acts in this way; and we have a track record of doing so.  

We have a number of support services underway within our Trust to help staff feel confident to come forward with their concerns, highlight how we can help victims or signpost them to support networks should that be needed. UHS also recognises its duty to empower staff to challenge behaviour when they see it happening to colleagues and a number of pieces of work are underway to help support a culture of zero tolerance towards abuse and discrimination.

Christine Mbabazi, Freedom To Speak Up Guardian at UHS, said: “Towards the end of last year health secretary Matt Hancock wrote to every Trust to make it clear there should be a zero tolerance approach to any sort of abuse or discrimination towards NHS staff. That is what our staff should expect and that is what we are committed to at UHS.

“No health worker should feel undermined or devalued because of their race, disability, sexual orientation, beliefs or transgender identity. We should be united in our response to patients who either reject care from a member of our staff because of their own prejudices or subject our colleagues to verbal or physical abuse.

“Despite the work we have done to address this, we are still seeing and hearing reports of staff being subjected to abusive behaviour. Our message is clear: this will not be tolerated. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with all our colleagues and pursue prosecutions wherever possible.”