Abuse is not in a days work Posted or Updated on 20 May 2025

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 supporting patients

 taking calls

 taking abuse

Abuse is not in a day's work.
We have the right to refuse treatment and take further action against anyone who threatens the safety of our staff or patients.

NHS South Yorkshire launches ‘Not in a day’s work’ campaign, backed by South Yorkshire Police

NHS South Yorkshire are supporting health and care staff across the region to put a stop to aggressive and abusive behaviour from patients and members of the public under a new zero tolerance approach and public campaign backed by South Yorkshire Police called #NotInADaysWork. As reported incidences have increased in recent months, frontline NHS primary care workers such as GP practice, pharmacy, dental and optometrist staff across the region are being offered support and advice from NHS South Yorkshire on reporting such behaviour, and guidance on a process for dealing with it.

Many practices and pharmacies already operate a zero-tolerance approach towards abusive behaviour and will ultimately exercise their right to refuse to see or treat people who are persistently aggressive or abusive. The main aim of the NHS South Yorkshire zero-tolerance approach and campaign is to show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated amid the ongoing efforts by primary care staff to increase staff levels and the number of available appointments.

Visit www.southyorkshire.icb.nhs.uk/zero-tolerance to find out more

Text from above image:

Abuse is not in a day's work.
We have the right to refuse treatment and take further action against anyone who threatens the safety of our staff or patients.