The practice has a statutory duty of care under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 to employees and other people using the health centre. Under the terms of the Act we are obliged to provide a safe environment. Any person displaying violent/aggressive behaviour will be asked to leave the building.

In the more serious circumstances (e.g. the threat of, or actual, physical abuse) the police will be called. The incident will be documented and a report sent to the Business Service Centre and the offending patient will be removed from the practice list.

Where there are incidences of verbal abuse to staff members, the practice manager will investigate the cause of abuse and take remedial action. If patients persistently engage in verbal aggression towards staff, they will be removed from the practice list.