It is right to draw attention to the physical, verbal, racial and sexual violence and abuse experienced by ever increasing numbers of NHS staff in the course of their work (Editorial, 19 January). These threats to NHS staff safety are experienced both physically – in wards, departments and GP practices across the country – and virtually, as staff are filmed and photographed without their consent, and humiliated or abused on social media.
The data on the sharp and continuing increase in violence and abuse rightly creates headlines. Beneath it are complex lives and rapid shifts in societal and behavioural norms. This complexity means that there is no neat solution to the growing problem of violence and abuse towards NHS staff.
