Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide advisory articles and other literature to NHS staff about how to handle threats of violence in workplace settings.

Everyone working in the National Health Service has a fundamental right to be safe at work without fear of violence or abuse.

In 2024, NHS England updated the Violence Prevention and Reduction Standard, which is available on the NHS England website, to support organisations to take action to prevent and reduce violence and abuse against NHS staff, including by empowering staff to take appropriate action to keep themselves and others safe. This has been made mandatory as part of the 2026/27 NHS Standard Contract.

Additionally, NHS staff have access to educational pathways to support them to take appropriate steps to prevent and reduce violence. This includes an e-learning course as well as training on handling difficult situations with compassion.

The Health and Safety Executive also provide advice for both workers and employers on violence in the workplace.