Zero Tolerance Policy

The Practice supports the government’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ campaign for Health Service Staff. This states that GPs and their staff have a right to care for others without fear of being attacked or abused. To successfully provide these services a mutual respect between all the staff and patients has to be in place. All our staff aim to be polite, helpful, and sensitive to all patients’ individual needs and circumstances.

However, unsuitable behaviour, be it violent or abusive, will not be tolerated. Examples of behaviour that would be found unacceptable include, but are not limited to:

• Using bad language or swearing at practice staff,
• Any physical violence towards any member of the Primary Health Care Team or other patients, such as pushing or shoving,
• Verbal abuse towards the staff in any form including shouting at or verbally insulting the staff,
• Racial abuse and sexual harassment will not be tolerated within this practice,
• Persistent or unrealistic demands that cause stress to staff will not be accepted. Requests will be met wherever possible and explanations given when they cannot,
• Causing damage/stealing from the Practice’s premises, staff or patients,
• Obtaining drugs and/or medical services fraudulently,
• The taking of or recording of images of staff, doctors or nurses within the practice without their express consent.