We aim to be polite, helpful, and sensitive to all patients’ individual needs and circumstances and expect patients to treat our staff in a similarly respectful way.

 The practice supports the government's 'Zero Tolerance' campaign for Health Service Staff. This states that GPs and their staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused.

Addressing a clinician or staff member in an abusive, threatening or offensive manner may be deemed a non-physical assault, which is defined by the NHS as ‘the use of inappropriate words or behaviour causing distress and/or constituting harassment.’  This can include (but is not limited to) the following, as defined by NHS Protect:

• Offensive language, verbal abuse, swearing
• Unwanted or abusive remarks of a sexual nature
• Racist, sexist, homophobic or other discriminatory remarks
• Offensive gestures
• Threats whether verbal or physical
• Bullying or intimidating behaviour
• Attempted assaults where contact is not made including spitting
• Brandishing weapons or objects which could be used to inflict harm
• Throwing a weapon or object and missing
• Stalking or other forms of harassment

This type of conduct is unacceptable and may result in a warning letter or removal from the practice. 

Physical assaults including contact with an object thrown or spitting where contact is made with a person or their clothing will be reported to the Police.