Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust have strengthened their commitment to protecting staff from violence, aggression, abuse and hate crime through the launch of Operation Cavell. The initiative brings the two NHS Trusts together with West Midlands Police and the wider criminal justice system to provide a stronger and more consistent response when healthcare workers experience unacceptable behaviour while carrying out their duties.
Operation Cavell is built around the simple principle that being assaulted or abused is not part of working for the NHS. The approach strengthens joint working between NHS organisations and the police so that incidents can be reported, investigated and acted upon appropriately. It will also help ensure that colleagues affected by incidents receive the support they need. Through closer working arrangements, Operation Cavell can provide greater oversight of incidents involving NHS staff, stronger links between the police and NHS teams, and clearer routes from reporting an incident through to investigation and, where appropriate, criminal justice action.
The initiative aims to give colleagues greater confidence to report incidents, knowing that violence, abuse and hate crime will be taken seriously. Diane Wake, Group Chief Executive of Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust and The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For too long our frontline staff have put up with abuse from a small number of those who need NHS help. Unfortunately, as the problem has grown, we will redouble our efforts to address it and do whatever it takes to protect our colleagues as they carry out their duties.
“Our colleagues come to work every day to care for people, often when those people are at their most frightened, distressed or vulnerable. They deserve to be able to do that without fear of being threatened, abused or assaulted. Operation Cavell sends a very clear message. Violence and abuse are not simply part of the job. We want our colleagues to report incidents, we will support them when they do, and by working closely with our police partners we will ensure appropriate action can be taken.”
Inspector Sarah Long, West Midlands Police, added: “NHS staff come to work to care for people and they should be able to do that without being threatened, abused or assaulted. Sadly, we know that’s not always the case and that, too often, people working in healthcare can feel that this is just something they have to put up with. It isn’t. That’s why we’re strengthening our partnership with the Dudley Group and Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trusts through Operation Cavell. We’ll be working together to make sure that incidents of violence, abuse and hate crime against their workers are properly looked into, and that staff are supported when they come forward.
“Our message to NHS colleagues is simple: if you are assaulted or abused at work, then please report it. We will respond, investigate where appropriate and identify how to help prevent further incidents.”
Operation Cavell is intended to improve the response to incidents across a wide range of NHS roles, from doctors and nurses to healthcare assistants, porters, receptionists and other colleagues who may come into contact with patients and the public. It is intended to give staff confidence to report violence, aggression, abuse and hate crime and provide a clearer route between reporting and police investigation, ensuring victims are appropriately supported following incidents. It will also hold offenders accountable where behaviour constitutes a criminal offence and criminal justice action is appropriate and ultimately create safer healthcare environments for staff, patients and visitors.
The Trusts have stressed that the initiative is not about criminalising patients because they are frightened, distressed or unwell. NHS colleagues routinely care for people experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives and understand that illness and distress can affect behaviour. Incidents will continue to be considered individually and in context, balancing compassionate, person-centred care with the fundamental right of NHS employees to be safe at work.
Operation Cavell reinforces a straightforward message for everyone using NHS services: our staff are here to care for you. Please treat them with respect.