What is violence at work?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines violence at work as “any incident in which an employee is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work.” This covers the serious or persistent use of verbal abuse – which the HSE says can add to stress or anxiety, thereby damaging an employee’s health. It also covers staff who are assaulted or abused outside their place of work – for example, while going home, while working in the community or while travelling as long as the incident relates to their work. The definition of physical assault used in the 2003 directions to the NHS from the secretary of state was “the intentional application of force against the person of another without lawful justification, resulting in physical injury or personal discomfort.”
Zero Tolerance Policy
We strongly support the NHS policy on zero tolerance. Anyone attending the surgery who abuses the GPs, staff or other patients be it verbally, physically or in any threatening manner whatsoever, will be asked to leave the premises and may risk removal from the practice list. In extreme cases we may summon the police to remove offenders from the practice.
For more information about patient rights and responsibilities, please visit the NHS Inform page: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/health-rights/patient-charter/the-charter-of-patient-rights-and-responsibilities/