Hundreds of abuse incidents against NHS staff

The health trust said it took the issue "extremely seriously"

NHS workers in Rotherham have faced hundreds of incidents of abuse or assaults, some involving the use of weapons, over a 19-month period.

Figures showed there were 270 cases of physical assault, 166 instances of verbal abuse and 15 racial incidents against staff at the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust between December 2023 to July this year.

There were also six reports of sexual physical abuse and nine of sexual verbal abuse. Out of all the incidents, five involved a weapon.

Trust bosses said they were taking the issue "extremely seriously" and had introduced new measures, including lightweight body-worn cameras.

Bob Kirton, managing director of the trust and chair of its violence reduction working group, said: "Abuse of NHS staff is a national issue and unfortunately is a challenge facing our colleagues too. Nobody should feel unsafe while at work.

"We are committed to tackling any deliberate abuse of our colleagues and challenging it with positive action."

The physical and verbal abuse happened across hospital wards, emergency care centres and community services, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The highest number of incidents was recorded in general medicine followed by emergency care, according to the figures, which were obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

Mr Kirton said other measures brought in to counter the abuse included stronger warning and banning letters as well as new warning markers on patient records to alert staff to individuals with a history of abuse.

The trust said it was working closely with South Yorkshire Police, which had taken enforcement action in some cases, including a successful prosecution.

Mr Kirton said while the measures had not stopped abuse altogether, there had been a 5% rise in staff reporting incidents in the 2024 staff survey, which he described as a sign employees felt more empowered to come forward.

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