No excuse for abuse

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Cambridgeshire Constabulary have joined a national initiative to tackle violence and abuse of NHS staff.

Called Operation Cavell, the campaign has been set up to strengthen the protection of NHS workers, improve positive outcomes and support victims. 

National data shows a worrying increase in abuse of healthcare workers, with one in seven reporting physical violence from patients, relatives or the public. 

Steve Grange, Chief Executive, CPFT, said: “Our staff come to work because they choose to support some of the most vulnerable people in society and they want to make a difference. They don’t come to work to be abused, and any form of violence, aggression or discrimination is not acceptable. The Trust and its partners are there to support them if that happens and it important that they report this so we can get the right support in place.” 

As part of the initiative Cambridgeshire Constabulary have increased training and awareness amongst officers who will now have a greater understanding about the best ways to support NHS staff and investigate crimes which may involve suspects who have vulnerabilities. 

DCI Chris O’Brien said: “Every day, NHS staff come to work to help people at their most vulnerable. They deserve to do that without fear, without abuse, and without violence.  

“Operation Cavell matters because too many NHS workers have felt that assaults, aggression or hate crime were simply something they had to accept. That is not acceptable, and it is not the law. 

“Through Operation Cavell, we are making a clear commitment to put the victim first, assume capacity, consider all options, including early and meaningful outcomes and we will take positive action when NHS staff are harmed. 

“Together, we will create safer places to work and safer communities for everyone.” 

A short video, No Excuse for Abuse, has been produced to bring the operation to life. Featuring frontline voices and CPFT Chief Executive Steve Grange, it highlights the real impact violence and aggression can have on NHS staff and reinforces the message that this is not part of the job. Watch the film here. 

Operation Cavell, which has been adopted by some NHS Trusts and police forces across the country, sets clear expectations around how incidents are reported, how decisions are made, and how NHS staff are supported throughout the criminal justice process.  It also involves a clear set of agreed principles which guide every response to incidents of violence, aggression or hate crime against NHS staff. Known as PACT, they stand for: Put the victim first; Assume capacity unless there is clear evidence otherwise; Consider all options; Take positive action. 

CPFT provides community physical health services for older people and adults with long term conditions, mental health services, children community services in Peterborough and learning disability services. The Trust is also renowned for its research and development work and in June 2025, CPFT was awarded Teaching Partner status by the University of Cambridge.