Oxford University Hospitals launches Operation Cavell to protect staff from violence and abuse

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is taking decisive action to tackle violence and abuse against its staff by partnering with Thames Valley Police to bring a national campaign to the city's hospital.

Known as 'Operation Cavell', the campaign sees the local NHS Trust, police force, and the Crown Prosecution Service come together to strengthen protections for NHS staff, improve conviction rates and support victims. As a result of this closer collaboration, every incident of assault or hate crime against OUH staff will be reviewed by senior police officers, and dedicated investigators with an understanding of healthcare environments will review cases.

The co-ordinated approach is designed to send a clear message that violence and abuse against OUH staff is taken seriously, and should not be tolerated as 'part of the job'.

National data shows a rising trend for violence and abuse against healthcare workers, with 1 in 7 reporting physical violence from patients, relatives or the public in 2024.

Yvonne Christley, Chief Nursing Officer at Oxford University Hospitals, said: "Our staff come to work to care for people, and they should be able to do that safely. Being shouted at or physically attacked is not part of the job, and it never has been. I am sorry that any of our colleagues have experienced this.

"Operation Cavell strengthens what happens after an incident. Colleagues who report will be supported through the process rather than left to manage it on their own, and Thames Valley Police will review every report.

"Support is there whether or not someone chooses to involve the police, but support is not the answer on its own. The measure of Operation Cavell will be fewer incidents, not better recovery from them. Our staff should not have to be resilient about violence and abuse at work, and the responsibility sits with the people who choose to behave this way, not with the colleagues on the receiving end. I hope this gives people the confidence to come forward."

Operational Cavell will run in support of OUH's 'No Excuses' campaign, which emphasises the Trust's stance on violence and aggressive behaviour towards its staff.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May from Thames Valley Police, said: "NHS staff provide an essential service to our communities and deserve to feel safe while carrying out their work.

"We want to actively encourage OUH staff to report incidents and feel safe in the knowledge that we will take action. Crimes against our hardworking NHS colleagues take many forms, including verbal abuse and serious physical violence.

"Through Operation Cavell, our officers will investigate incidents thoroughly, support victims and work closely with OUH to ensure offenders are held accountable where appropriate.

"Operation Cavell will underscore our commitment to bringing offenders to justice and remind the public of their obligations to our much-valued healthcare workers, with every report helping us identify repeat offenders, better understand patterns of behaviour and protect both NHS staff and the wider public."