Great Western Hospital records almost 400 reports of staff abuse in 2024/25
Over one in ten members of staff were physically abused last year
Great Western Hospital has relaunched its Never OK campaign to highlight that abuse against staff is unacceptable.
According to the hospital’s Trust, there were 383 reports of abuse against staff in 2024/25.
This includes verbal, physical and racial abuse as well as sexual harassment.
In a video published by the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, members of staff shared their stories – such as healthcare assistant Katherine who said: “I was just trying to help you and give you personal care when you punched me in the face and nearly broke my glasses and left me with slight bruising under my eye.”
Willow, a healthcare support worker, added: “I was just trying to take you out for some fresh air when you strangled me.”
The Never OK campaign first launched in 2016.
This year’s relaunch follows the results of Great Western Hospital’s 2024 Staff Survey which revealed that almost one quarter of staff had experienced bullying, harassment or abuse.
The survey also found that 12% of staff had reported at least one incident of physical abuse in 2024.
“I was just trying to help you get through to your loved one on the phones when you verbally abused me and called me an a**** and pinned the death of your family members on me if you couldn’t get through to them”, recalled Charlie, team leader if the site services, in the video.
The campaign is supported by Wiltshire Police with officers due to visit different wards and departments to better understand the challenges which hospital staff face.
PC Becky Berni said, "NHS staff work tirelessly to care and support members of the community, it is NEVER OK to subject them to abuse, violence or aggression.
"Wiltshire Police stand by our NHS colleagues. Abuse is never part of the job. It is never acceptable. It is Never OK."