West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is asking patients, visitors and the public to treat staff with respect as one in four staff have reported bullying, harassment and abuse in the workplace in the last year.

This is part of a zero-tolerance approach to abuse across West Herts hospitals.

Staff reported verbal and physical abuse from patients including racial abuse and being punched.

The Trust is now taking steps to tackling abuse, including reiterating in their latest ‘No Excuse for Abuse’ campaign that they will not tolerate abuse of any sort.

Elsa Locatelli, Matron for ED said: “Abuse is absolutely appalling and very upsetting for our staff. We want people to remember that our colleague's shift will be impacted. They will feel scared throughout their day. They will take that home to their family. This is not okay.”

“We are here to do our job. We are human beings, and we’re not tolerating this.”

Kelly McGovern, the Trust’s Chief Nurse, said: “Abuse of any kind is not acceptable. Our staff are here to care for people, and they deserve to do their jobs without being shouted at, threatened or attacked. Please treat our staff with the respect they deserve.”