Guy's and St Thomas' launches anti abuse and violence campaign

We have launched a campaign to tackle the rise in violent and abusive behaviour directed at Guy's and St Thomas' staff.

The No Excuse for Abuse initiative aims to reduce the number of aggressive incidents faced by clinical and non-clinical staff daily while doing their jobs.

Around 1 in 10 staff at the Trust reported experiencing physical violence from patients, their relatives or other members of the public, in the 2025 NHS Staff Survey.

There has been a 60 percent increase in physical assaults on staff at Guy’s and St Thomas’ year-on-year. From 418 reported cases in 2024/25, these have risen to 669 in 2025/26. This is nearly two incidents of physical abuse against staff daily.

Aggressive and abusive behaviour against clinical and administrative staff has also increased by 23 percent to 3,147 cases reported in 2025/26. It amounts to more than 8 incidents every day.

These can range from verbal abuse and threatening behaviour to physical assault, sexual threats, racist abuse and recording staff without permission. They happen in clinical and non-clinical settings, in the community, in person and over the phone or email.

Posters in busy areas of the Trust, including hospital corridors, waiting rooms and the Emergency Department at St Thomas’, send a clear message that violent and abusive behaviour against staff and other patients is not acceptable and there will be consequences, while reflecting the importance of kindness and respect.

Trust staff are guided on how to handle assaults, empowered to report incidents of violence and abuse, and to feel confident that action will be taken to keep them and others safe.

Crystal Akass, Chief People Officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said:

“The vast majority of our patients and visitors are respectful to colleagues here at the Trust, but even isolated incidents of aggression can have a lasting effect on individuals and teams.

“This campaign draws attention to how we want all our colleagues to be treated - every one of whom has a right to feel safe and protected in their workplace.”