News

An open message from NHS London and Trust and ICS CEOs to staff and colleagues working in London’s NHS

Every year, tens of thousands of staff and colleagues working in the NHS in London are confronted with violence and aggression from patients and members of the public simply for going to work.

Now, the abuse is at a dangerous level with many of our once hailed heroes fearing for their safety.

We, leaders of the NHS in London are speaking with one voice to say that aggression and violence towards our staff will not be tolerated.

To our fantastic staff and colleagues working in London’s NHS:

  • We appreciate you
  • We thank you for continuing to care for people when they are at their most vulnerable
  • We encourage you to report all forms of verbal or physical abuse from patients, their families and their friends so that we may support you and so that we may take action.

To our patients, their families and friends please understand:

  • We will strive to do our best for you and your loved ones
  • People who are most unwell do need to be seen most urgently, but all our patients are important to us and will receive the care needed
  • While we are thankful for the support shown by so many, to those who show violence and aggression let it be known:

Abusing our staff is never ok.

 

Signed by:

  • Andrew Ridley, Regional Director of NHS England and Improvement – London
  • Dr Vin Diwakar, Regional Medical Director of NHS England and Improvement – London
  • Dr Lisa Harrod-Rothwell, Deputy Chief Executive,  Londonwide Local Medical Committees
  • Jane Clegg, Regional Chief Nurse of NHS England and Improvement – London
  • Dr Helene Brown, NHS England and Improvement Regional Medical Director System Improvement and Professional Standards London
  • Dr Nnenna Osuji, Chief Executive Officer North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust
  • David Probert, Chief Executive University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Lesley Watts, Chief Executive Officer Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
  • Ben Travis, Chief Executive Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
  • Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Jinjer Kandola MBE, Chief Executive Officer Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust and Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Zina Etheridge, Chief Executive Officer North East London ICS
  • Patricia Wright, Chief Executive Officer The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • Paul Jenkins, Chief Executive Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust
  • Caroline Clarke, Royal Free London group chief executive
  • Paul Fish, Chief Executive Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust
  • Jacqueline Totterdell, Group Chief Executive Officer, St George’s, Epsom and St Helier Hospitals and Health Group
  • Millie Banerjee, Chair South West London ICS
  • Dr Ify Okocha, Chief Executive Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust
  • Jacqui Van Rossum, Chief Executive (Acting), North East London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Ian Abbs, Chief Executive, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
  • Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive Officer West London NHS Trust
  • Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive Officer Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Pippa Nightingale MBE, Chief Executive Officer London North West London Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Frances O’Callaghan, Chief Executive Officer Designate North Central London Integrated Care Board
  • Deborah Sanders, Chief Executive Barnet Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Alan McGlennan, Chief Executive of Chase Farm Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  • John Connolly, Chief executive of Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
  • David Bradley, Chief Executive South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  • Vanessa Ford, Chief Executive South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust
  • Sarah Blow, Accountable Officer NHS South West London CCG
  • Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive Officer Whittington Health NHS Trust
  • Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive Officer Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Trust
  • John Quinn, Chief Operating Officer Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
  • Martin Kuper, Chief Executive Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • James Benson, Interim Chief Executive Officer Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust
  • Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive West London NHS Trust
  • Andrew Bland, Accountable Officer NHS South East London CCG and South East London ICB Chief Executive Designate
  • Jo Farrar, Chief Executive Hounslow and Richmond Community Healthcare NHS Trust and Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
  • Shane DeGaris, Group Deputy Chief Executive Barts Health NHS Trust
  • Daniel Elkeles, Chief Executive London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
  • Paul Calaminus, Chief Executive East London Foundation Trust
  • Claire Murdoch, Chief Executive Officer Central North West London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Dr Michelle Drage, Chief Executive Officer Londonwide Local Medical Committees (LLMCs)
  • Rob Hurd, Chief Executive North West London Integrated Care System
  • Richard Goodman FRPharmS, Regional Chief Pharmacist, NHS England & NHS Improvement London Region