University Hospitals Sussex have increased safety measures and strengthened the support available to colleagues, patients and visitors, following rising levels of violence and abuse towards staff.

Over the past year, nearly 2,000 incidents of verbal and physical abuse from patients and visitors were reported.

As a result, the Trust has developed a Violence Prevention and Reduction programme.

Initiatives include implementing enhanced security measures, improving the accessibility of incident reporting, and strengthening the partnership with Sussex Police who have been extremely supportive of staff.

Body-worn cameras and knife amnesty bins are already proving effective.

The trust is also making it easier for colleagues to report incidents quickly and confidently, helping ensure concerns are acted on and patterns of behaviour are identified early on.

A new formal warning process is also being rolled out, giving staff a recognised and robust framework that warns patients or visitors when behaviour becomes unacceptable and they can no longer attend the hospital, with the exception of in emergencies.

Dr Andy Heeps, Chief Executive Officer at the Trust said: “Our colleagues dedicate their lives to caring for others, and it is unacceptable that anyone is subjected to violence, abuse or harassment. The safety and wellbeing of our people is fundamental to delivering excellent care, and any act of abuse or harassment has no place in our hospitals.”

Mark Rosser, Head of Security at University Hospitals Sussex, explains: “Body-worn cameras, introduced earlier this year in areas where violence is most common, are helping to de-escalate situations, reassure staff, and provide clear evidence when incidents occur. Knife amnesty bins have also been installed across Trust sites, with more than 40 dangerous items discreetly handed in since the start of the year. These offer a safe and discreet way for patients or visitors to surrender any items they should not be carrying before entering our hospitals, significantly reducing risk and helping our colleagues feel safer.”