Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital trust in London has rolled out an anti-violence initiative after a marked increase in attacks on staff, a development that highlights growing concerns about safety for health workers. The trust’s campaign, titled No Excuse for Abuse, aims to reduce aggressive incidents faced by both clinical and non-clinical employees.
Numbers show sharp rise in assaults and abuse
Trust figures cited as part of the campaign show a substantial jump in reported physical assaults and abusive behaviour against staff. Physical assaults increased from 418 in 2024/25 to 669 in 2025/26 — a rise of about 60% — and the trust says this equates to nearly two incidents of physical abuse against staff each day.
| Measure | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical assaults | 418 | 669 |
| Aggressive/abusive incidents | — | 3,147 (up 23%) |
The trust also reported that aggressive and abusive behaviour against both clinical and administrative staff rose by 23% to 3,147 cases in 2025/26, which it described as about eight incidents daily.
Measures included in the campaign
Elements of the No Excuse for Abuse initiative include visible reminders in clinical areas and public spaces, guidance for staff on responding to assaults, and steps to encourage reporting. Posters have been placed in corridors, waiting rooms and the Emergency Department at St. Thomas’ hospital to reinforce the message that abuse is not acceptable.
- Public awareness materials in patient-facing areas
- Training and guidance for staff on how to handle assaults
- Encouragement and support for reporting incidents
“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,” said Crystal Akass, chief people officer at Guy’s and St Thomas’.
The trust has stressed that staff have a right to feel safe and protected at work and that the campaign seeks to underline that expectation while providing staff with practical support and reassurance that action will be taken when incidents are reported.
While this initiative is being carried out by a London-based trust, the measures and figures it has published contribute to a wider conversation about staff safety in hospitals and the challenges faced by health-care workers in acute settings.
