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

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.'

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

Physical assaults rose from 418 in 2024/25 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 increased by 23% to 3,147 cases reported in 2025/26, or eight incidents every day.

Posters have been put up in hospital corridors, waiting rooms and the Emergency Department at St Thomas'.

Staff have also been 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.