Violence and Abusive Behaviour

As an employer, the practice has a duty to care and legal responsibility for the health and safety of its staff.

All patients are expected to behave in an acceptable manner and violent or abusive behaviour towards staff or patients may result in removal from our practice list or even criminal proceedings.

The practice follows the NHS guidance zero tolerance policy.

The practice will request the removal of any patient from the practice list who is aggressive or abusive towards a doctor, member of staff, other patient, or who damages property.

We report all physical abuse to the police.

We expect all patients to be responsible and avoid attending the surgery under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Any alteration of prescriptions is illegal and will not be tolerated.

If you're unhappy with the quality of service you have the right to register with another practice without notifying us.

On the very rare occasions when a patient repeatedly ignores their responsibilities to the Practice, we have the right to remove the patient from our Practice list.

Unacceptable behaviour

Examples of unacceptable behaviour include:

violence
excessive noise eg recurrent loud or intrusive conversation or shouting
threatening or abusive language involving swearing or offence remarks
derogatory racial or sexual remarks
malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors
offensive sexual gestures or behaviours
abusing alcohol or drugs on practice premises
drug dealing on practice premises
wilful damage to practice property
threats or threatening behaviour
theft

Zero tolerance

Our staff have the right to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.

They should be able to do their jobs without being physically or verbally abused.

Anyone found abusing staff will be asked to leave the practice.

Removal from the patient list

In exceptional circumstances, a breakdown may occur between a doctor and their patient.

If the breakdown is serious, for example physical or verbal abuse to any member of the practice team, the doctors may feel that the relationship has been compromised.

We may take steps to remove the patient from the doctor’s list. Where possible, we prefer to discuss with the patient to try to find a solution.

We give reasons for removal in writing.