From prosecuting violent offenders and refusing treatment to abusive patients, to introducing body-worn cameras for clinical staff, University Hospitals Tees is taking a zero-tolerance approach to violence against staff.
“Which violent incident would you like to know about? Violence in the emergency department is constant,” said an emergency department staff member at The James Cook University Hospital.
The unnamed staff member has said that they have been verbally, physically and racially abused, and colleagues have faced similar violent threats from patients and visitors.
In 2025, University Hospitals Tees recorded more than 1,400 incidents of violence and aggression across its hospitals.
This reflects a wider national trend of rising violence and aggression against NHS staff.
The staff member added: “I remember this one incident where a patient was brought in by the police to the emergency department. I offered him water and, without warning, he tackled me to the ground.”
As part of the organisation’s zero-violence approach, body-worn cameras for clinical staff in James Cook’s emergency department have been introduced to deter individuals from being aggressive.
The staff member, who now wears a camera while working, believes the initiative is making an impact as aggressive patients try to control their behaviour when they are made aware of the camera.
Same experience across region
Similar incidents are being experienced across the Tees region.
A few miles away from James Cook, the emergency department in the University Hospital of North Tees (UHNT) has also been facing the growing threat of aggression from patients and families.
Leanne Powell, nursing sister, was treating a patient who had suffered wounds to her arms, in an incident she recalls from several months ago.
She explained: “The nurse I was working with in triage briefly left the room to collect dressings. While she was gone, the patient took a knife – which was a large Stanley knife – from their pocket and gave me the knife, stating this was how her arms were cut.
“I moved the knife to the other side of the desk and continued the assessment. The patient remained calm and cooperative, then asked what I would do if she took the knife back. The patient suddenly jumped from her chair and attempted to grab it. I secured the knife first, but she pushed me back into the chair.
As I tried to leave, the individual grabbed my hand, attempted to take the knife, and pushed me against the wall while holding my wrist.
“I was able to use the Tannoy system to ask for help and within 30 seconds, staff and security came to my rescue.”
The patient was later prosecuted for their actions.
Laura Pennicott, emergency department manager at the University Hospital of North Tees, said violence against staff is never acceptable and that several measures have been introduced to protect staff.
She said: “We are developing plans to equip our staff members with cameras in the future, similar to the approach taken by the James Cook team. Staff members are empowered to withdraw or delay treatment when patients or visitors behave aggressively, except where immediate clinical needs or capacity issues require further management.
“Violence and aggression not only affect staff but can also disrupt patient care and create an unsafe environment for everyone in our hospitals.”
Proud of staff professionalism
Chief executive for University Hospitals Tees, Stacey Hunter, said: “All NHS workers have the right to feel safe at work to allow them to provide the best possible care to our patients.
“I want to say how proud I am of the outstanding professionalism of our staff – who in the face of aggression – continue to provide the best care to our communities.
“We have taken a zero-tolerance approach to violence, and we will ensure we do everything to make our staff and patients feel safe at UHT. This means refusing treatment where appropriate, pursuing legal action against offenders, and working even more closely with partners, including the police and local councils.”
Police: “We will not tolerate assaults on staff”
Cleveland Police Chief Inspector Greg Owens said: “No one should come to work and be attacked whilst doing their job. We continue to work closely and collaboratively with our partners and have shared our best practice around internal processes and welfare support.
“We absolutely will not tolerate assaults on staff, and we’d continue to encourage reports to us so we can appropriately investigate to ensure those responsible are brought before the courts and workplaces are a safer place for all.”