Inaugural Violence Prevention and Reduction Summit a huge success

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) has hosted its first Violence Prevention and Reduction Summit – bringing together NHS colleagues, police, mental health professionals, and partners from across the country to share best practice in tackling violence and aggression towards NHS and other public sector staff.

Held in Oxford on Thursday 2 October, the landmark event focused on how organisations can work collaboratively to protect staff and improve safety for all.

It was a unique opportunity for open discussion and shared learning on the prevention and reduction of violence and aggression, which sadly is a growing challenge across the health and care sector.

Chief Nursing Officer Yvonne Christley opened the event with a simple message: “This matters, and it matters deeply.  Not just because of statistics and policies, but because of the people involved, including our staff and our patients.”

Delegates heard from OUH teams leading the way in this important area, including presentations on the Trust’s award-winning No Excuses campaign, which raises awareness of the impact of violence on NHS staff and promotes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse.

Other sessions focused on managing violence and aggression from younger patients, de-escalation techniques, the role of Security teams, and the implementation of practical steps to support staff and improve safety in the workplace.

The event was kindly sponsored by Reveal Media, the suppliers of OUH’s bodyworn camera technology.

Feedback on the event included:

•    “Very impressed with clinical input – the depth that you’ve gone into is incredibly impressive – I would like to applaud you all.”
•    “OUH is an exemplar in terms of taking a trauma-based approach (to tackling violence and aggression)…we will be taking so much back to our trust. Well done for working so hard on this.”
•    “A really inspiring event…I feel really proud to be associated with an organisation that takes staff and patient safety so seriously. It was lovely to learn more about the insight and dignity invested into this cohort of patients and to staff who do the valuable and challenging work to look after them.”
•    “I think you’re ahead of the game in relation to other trusts I’ve bumped into.”

Terry Roberts, Chief People Officer at OUH, said: “It was a real honour to be part of this important and educational event where we convened as NHS colleagues and partners to share and advocate for our people in eradicating violence and aggression to our teams. 

"The summit was a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect staff and foster safer workplaces. Seeing colleagues from across the NHS and partner organisations come together to share best practices and challenge thinking was inspiring. The commitment to tackling violence and aggression—not just as a policy and the NHS Violence Prevention and Reduction Standard, but as a core value—was clear throughout and one I hope we will continue to honour. I left encouraged by the progress we’ve made and motivated to continue driving positive change through our People Plan, so every member of our team can work free from the threat of violence or abuse."