St Thomas’ Hospital staff face daily violence as assaults rise 60%

Staff at St Thomas’ Hospital in Waterloo are facing daily violence, with physical assaults on workers rising by 60% in a single year. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust recorded 669 reported cases of physical abuse against staff in 2025-2026, up from 418 the year before. The figures, revealed in the 2025 NHS staff survey, mean almost two incidents of physical violence occur each day across the trust’s five London hospitals.

A&E nurse describes routine attacks

Jess Turnbull, a senior nurse in the hospital’s A&E department, said she has been punched, kicked and scratched while at work. She told the BBC that a colleague had their jaw broken during an attack, and that staff have been chased with knives in the department. Fire extinguishers and furniture have been used as weapons, and police are regularly called to support staff.

Turnbull said the abuse lingers long after the incidents. The department’s high pressure means staff often do not have time to process what has happened before moving on to the next patient. She added that most of her colleagues in A&E have had similar experiences, and that the environment is becoming increasingly difficult to work in.

Security staff also targeted

Security guards at St Thomas’ Hospital face the same risks. Ike Obi, head of security, told the BBC that his team deals with physical and verbal abuse daily, including racist, sexist and homophobic behaviour. One security guard lost a finger after a patient bit it off during a restraint. The guard underwent surgery at the hospital but did not return to work afterwards.

Trust launches poster campaign

In response to the rising violence, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust has launched a poster campaign across its hospitals. The campaign aims to remind visitors that violent and abusive behaviour is unacceptable and will have consequences. Crystal Akass, the trust’s chief people officer, said even isolated incidents can have a lasting effect on staff, who have a right to feel safe at work.

Karen Bonner, NHS England’s chief nurse for London, said racist attacks on staff are increasing, and that the mental and physical impact is driving some workers to leave the NHS or avoid direct patient care. Both Turnbull and Obi said they would continue to help patients but hoped the public would treat staff with more kindness.

What happens next

The poster campaign will remain in place across the trust’s hospitals. It is unclear whether additional security measures or staff training will be introduced. The trust has not announced any further steps to address the rise in violence. Residents can report concerns or share experiences with the trust via its website or by contacting the hospital directly.