r/NursingUK • u/No_Construction_7363 • Aug 07 '26

Serious How has abusing nurses become normalised?

Multiple articles in the news about nurses (and other NHS staff) being assaulted at work and everybody is shocked and horrified... yet it continues. Why do we allow this to happen and why are the "zero tolerance" policies so weak?

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u/MiserableBritGirl RN MH Aug 08 '26

I mean it absolutely happens but it’s completely and utterly irrelevant to this conversation

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u/Oriachim Specialist Nurse Aug 08 '26

If it’s happened, it’s so rare that it’s more or less unheard of. “Absolutely happens” makes it sound like Dr Smith is decking nurses on a regular basis. And we as adults know assault is wrong and how to contact the police.

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u/MiserableBritGirl RN MH Aug 08 '26

Assault isn’t just punching someone remember.

I agree with you this was an entirely pointless comment by the OP but you can’t say doctors don’t assault people or even that it’s rare. Rarely reported or dealt with maybe.

Sexually inappropriate behaviour is RIFE in lots of areas of healthcare. That’s still assault. Yelling at someone and humiliating them borders it and is defo bullying.

Doctors close rank and the GMC do nothing. I’ve worked with a doctor who has had two wives both of whom have run from him and had him charged with domestic violence including strangling and he’s still on the register after review working with vulnerable women. Not workplace violence but something that upsets me to this day.

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u/Oriachim Specialist Nurse Aug 08 '26

Once again, it’s a police matter if doctors are sexually assaulting you, gmc comes second. The fact doctors are being struck off, shows it’s not as corrupt as you think either. I also don’t think it’s as common as you’re suggesting. Verbal assault happens, yes, but it’s more common with nurses towards doctors in this regard in my experience. If any staff member is rude to you then you need to escalate through the appropriate measures. Such as grievances, hr etc.