A CAMPAIGN has been launched to prevent verbal and physical abuse to NHS staff in Wiltshire.

The results of the last NHS Staff Survey, which gauges feedback on a national scale, showed that one in three workers at the Great Western Hospital had experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients, their relatives or other visitors in the last 12 months.

Since January, six people have appeared in court following their behaviour towards staff at Great Western Hospital.

The Never OK campaign reminds patients, visitors and any other people in hospital, that there are no circumstances in which abuse of NHS staff will be tolerated.

Nerissa Vaughan, chief executive, said: “This campaign is one that is very close to my heart as I all too often hear staff share their personal stories of abuse, all of which have left me shocked and angry.

“It is fundamentally wrong that the very people who have dedicated their lives to helping others should be on the receiving end of any kind of offensive language, intimidating behaviour or violent actions.

“I’ve seen first-hand how this complete lack of respect can affect people and, in some cases, it’s forced hard working people out of the NHS for good.

“I’m fully aware that the majority of patients would never dream of abusing a nurse, doctor or receptionist, but in this day and age there are still some people who do not know any better, which is why Never OK is so important.”

Residents are being asked to get involved in the campaign by using the #JustLike hashtag on social media.

Simply use Twitter or Facebook to share something else that, just like abuse of NHS staff, is Never OK.

For example, “#JustLike stealing chips form someone else’s plate, abuse of NHS staff is Never OK” or “#JustLike peeing in a swimming pool, abuse of NHS staff is Never OK”.

Residents can pledge their support for the campaign on social media by following the trust’s official accounts and using #NeverOK in their posts.

For more information, visit facebook.com/GWHNHS or www.twitter.com/GWH_NHS.