Guy's and St Thomas' staff face 669 assaults in one year as violence surges

Staff at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust faced 669 physical assaults in 2025-26, a 60% increase from the previous year. The figures, revealed in the 2025 NHS staff survey, show nearly two attacks on workers every day across the trust’s five London hospitals.

Aggressive and abusive behaviour rose by 23%, amounting to more than eight incidents daily. One in 10 staff reported experiencing physical violence, with nurses and security teams describing broken bones, knife threats, and racist abuse.

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A&E nurse describes knife threats and broken jaws

Jess Turnbull, a senior nurse in the A&E unit at St Thomas’ Hospital in Waterloo, said she had been punched, kicked, and scratched at work. She described a colleague suffering a broken jaw after an assault, and patients chasing staff with knives.

Turnbull told the BBC that threats of violence lingered long after incidents. "I always find it quite horrible when somebody says, ‘I’m going to get you after work,’" she said. "You don’t want to feel unsafe leaving your shift."

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Everything can be used as a weapon; fire extinguishers, furniture. We regularly have to call police to support us, and we still need to help really unwell patients in and amongst all that's going on.

Jess Turnbull, senior A&E nurse, St Thomas’ Hospital

Security guard loses finger in attack

Ike Obi, head of security at St Thomas’ Hospital, said his team faced daily abuse, including racist, sexist, and homophobic slurs. One guard lost a finger after a patient bit it off during a restraint. The guard required surgery but later left his job.

Obi told the BBC that such incidents were not isolated. "The team deal with loads of abuse, threatening behaviour, racist, sexist, homophobic behaviour towards them on a daily basis," he said.

Trust launches poster campaign to deter violence

In response to the surge in assaults, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust launched a poster campaign across its hospitals. The campaign aims to remind visitors that violent and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.

Crystal Akass, chief people officer at the trust, said most patients and visitors were respectful, but even isolated incidents had lasting effects. "This campaign draws attention to how we want all our colleagues to be treated," she said. "Every one of whom has a right to feel safe and protected in their workplace."

Karen Bonner, NHS England’s chief nurse for London, said racist attacks on staff were increasing. "The mental and physical impact it has on our colleagues, some people will leave the NHS as a consequence," she said.

What happens next

The poster campaign is now visible across Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals, including St Thomas’ in Waterloo, Guy’s in London Bridge, and three other sites. The trust has not announced further measures, but staff have called for stronger protections.

Turnbull and Obi said they would continue their work but urged the public to treat NHS staff with more respect. The trust has not confirmed whether additional security or training will be introduced.