THE Great Western Hospital has launched a new scheme to highlight the problem of abuse suffered by staff at the hands of aggressive patients.

The Never Ok campaign, which began on Thursday, is part of a nationwide initiative within the NHS, and staff at the GWH are keen to get the message across.

The aim is to remind patients, visitors and any other people in hospital that there are no circumstances in which abuse of NHS staff will be tolerated and that appropriate action will always be taken.

Nerissa Vaughan, chief executive of the Great Western Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This campaign is one that is very close to my heart as I all too often hear staff share their personal stories of abuse, all of which have left me shocked and angry.

“It is fundamentally wrong that the very people who have dedicated their lives to helping others should be on the receiving end of any kind of offensive language, intimidating behaviour or violent actions.

“I’ve seen first-hand how this complete lack of respect can affect people and, in some cases, it’s forced hard working people out of the NHS for good.

“I’m fully aware that the majority of patients would never dream of abusing a nurse, doctor or receptionist, but in this day and age there are still some people who do not know any better, which is why Never OK is so important.”

Since January, six people have appeared in court after their behaviour and conduct at the Great Western Hospital warranted police intervention.

Elsewhere, exclusion orders and injunctions have been placed on disruptive visitors who have caused upset to staff and other patients.

Annette Baskerville, clinical matron on the hospital’s emergency department, who is often subjected to verbal abuse, said: “Being sworn at is something my colleagues and I experience most days.

"We try not to take it personally because sometimes it can be fuelled by alcohol or drugs.

“But when someone being aggressive is sober it can be quite difficult to cope and it is very hard not to take it personally.

“This is a caring profession in which staff come to work to try to do their best for people, and having to deal with abuse makes a difficult job more difficult.”

According to Annette, the hospital’s emergency department usually experiences the highest levels of abuse and aggression.

Such behaviour can sometimes result in equipment being damaged, which slows down care delivery for patients.

“We work closely with our security team who send out warning notices to service users if they have been aggressive to members of staff,” said Annette.

It is hoped that through Never OK, healthcare workers will be able to come to work and do the job they love without fear of abuse or harassment.

Support the campaign online by using #NeverOK in your posts.