• Awareness

Every day, our staff provide compassionate care to thousands of people across Berkshire. While the vast majority of patients, carers and visitors treat our staff with kindness and respect, we know incidents of violence and abuse do occur.

During 2025/26, we recorded 1,576 incidents of violence, aggression and abuse towards staff by patients, carers and members of the public. This included:

  • 642 physical assaults
  • 934 incidents of non-physical abuse, such as verbal abuse, threats, spitting, discrimination and online abuse

This behaviour can have a significant impact on staff wellbeing and the care they provide.

What is Operation Cavell?

The partnership is part of Operation Cavell, a national initiative that brings together NHS organisations and police forces to improve responses to violence, aggression and abuse against healthcare staff.

Why it matters

Violence and abuse are never part of the job.

Reporting incidents helps us support staff, protect other patients and colleagues, and reduce the risk of similar incidents. It can also help ensure people receive the right care and support when they need it.

Every incident is looked at individually, taking account of the circumstances.

Working together with kindness and respect

We understand that people accessing our services may sometimes be frightened, distressed or unwell. Our staff are committed to providing compassionate, person-centred care in every situation.

At the same time, everyone has the right to feel safe at work. Please treat our staff, other patients and visitors with kindness and respect to help create a safe environment where everyone can give and receive the best possible care.