Kindness Matters

Supporting NHS Staff to Keep Healthcare Safe for Everyone

Every day, NHS staff across Berkshire care for thousands of people with professionalism, compassion and dedication. Whether they're treating an emergency, supporting someone with a long-term condition or offering reassurance during a difficult time, healthcare staff are there to help.

Most people treat NHS staff with the kindness and respect they deserve. However, incidents of violence, aggression and abuse continue to happen far too often – and they can have a lasting impact on the people providing our care.

Violence and abuse is never acceptable

During 2025/26, Berkshire healthcare services recorded 1,576 incidents of violence, aggression and abuse towards staff by patients, carers and members of the public.

These included:

• 642 physical assaults

• 934 incidents of non-physical abuse, including verbal abuse, threats, discrimination, spitting and online abuse.

Behind every statistic is a member of staff who has come to work to help others but has instead experienced behaviour that no one should face in their workplace.

Experiencing abuse can affect staff wellbeing, confidence and morale, while also impacting the care they are able to provide to others.

Working together through Operation Cavell

Healthcare organisations across Berkshire are working alongside local police as part of Operation Cavell, a national partnership that aims to improve the response to violence, aggression and abuse against NHS staff.

The initiative encourages organisations to report incidents, support affected staff and work together to prevent future abuse.

Every reported incident is carefully reviewed on its own merits, taking into account the individual circumstances.

Understanding while keeping everyone safe

Healthwatch understands that many people accessing health services may be frightened, anxious, in pain or experiencing a mental or physical health crisis. These situations can be incredibly stressful for patients and their families.

Healthcare staff are trained to respond with compassion, empathy and professionalism, even in challenging circumstances.

At the same time, everyone has the right to feel safe at work.

Creating a respectful environment benefits everyone. When staff feel safe and supported, they are better able to focus on providing the high-quality care that patients deserve.

How you can help

A few simple actions can make a real difference:

• Treat healthcare staff with kindness and respect.

• Be patient if services are busy or waiting times are longer than expected.

• Remember that staff are doing their best to help everyone safely.

• If you're feeling frustrated or worried, explain your concerns calmly so staff can support you.

A shared responsibility

Healthwatch West Berkshire believes everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, patients, carers, visitors and healthcare staff alike. Kindness costs nothing, but it can make a huge difference.

By working together and treating one another with understanding and respect, we can help create safer healthcare environments where staff feel valued and patients receive the best possible care.