Violence Policy

The Practice staff shall always show due respect and courtesy when dealing with patients and their representatives. We respectfully request that patients and their representatives do the same when dealing with members of the practice team.

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. 

No form of aggression (whether verbal or physical in nature) will be tolerated - any instances of such behaviour on the practice premises may result in the perpetrator being reported to the Police and removed from the practice’s List of Registered Patients.

Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.

Reviewed: March 2024

Next Review Date: March 2026

The following are examples of behaviour which are not acceptable:

• Violence towards staff, patients or visitors
• Threats or threatening behaviour
• Excessive noise, eg loud or intrusive conversation, or shouting
• Racist or sexist behaviour or language
• Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, patients or visitors
• Abusing alcohol or drugs on the premises
• Drug dealing
• Willful damage to surgery property
• Theft

New patients registering will be asked to sign a zero tolerance form.

By registering at this practice, you agree to behave appropriately and understand that by performing any of the above you will be removed from the practice list, and details of the incident will be passed on to the Kent Primary Care Agency.