General Practitioner Support
Supporting and enhancing a personal safety culture, and wellbeing within NHS Primary Care Networks
Our mission
"To partner with Primary Care Networks to improve safety, security, and wellbeing in GP practices."
We are a specialist consultancy committed to driving sustainable improvements in the safety and security of NHS Primary Care Network (PCN) staff and patients.
Healthcare professionals dedicate themselves to delivering care under demanding and high-pressure conditions. However, they are increasingly exposed to verbal abuse and physical assaults from patients and visitors.
Protecting NHS staff is not merely a moral imperative—it is vital to safeguarding the continuity and quality of care, preserving staff wellbeing, and ensuring the effective operation of the wider healthcare system.
Protecting the workforce
Physical attacks and verbal abuse can lead to injuries, stress, and long-term psychological trauma. Staff members who feel unsafe are less likely to perform at their best, and many may leave their roles entirely, exacerbating workforce shortages. Protecting staff from violence ensures they can focus on delivering the best care possible without fear for their safety
Maintaining Quality of Care
When healthcare workers are subjected to attacks, their ability to concentrate and deliver effective care is compromised. A safe and supportive work environment enables staff to perform their duties with confidence and efficiency. Reducing workplace violence minimizes disruptions to patient care and reduces the risk of medical errors caused by stress or distraction.
Addressing Workforce Retention
Incidents of aggression and violence contribute significantly to burnout, absenteeism, and staff turnover in the NHS. Recruiting and training new staff is costly and time-consuming. By prioritizing staff safety, the NHS can create a more appealing work environment, helping to retain experienced professionals and attract new talent to the healthcare sector.
Legal & Ethical Obligations
The NHS has a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure a safe working environment for its employees. Beyond legal compliance, it is ethically imperative to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Failing to do so undermines the trust and morale of the workforce.
Preventing Financial Loss
Violent incidents in the workplace often lead to increased costs due to staff sick leave, legal claims, compensation, and the need for additional security measures. By investing in preventative strategies, such as staff training, the NHS can reduce these costs and ensure resources are focused on patient care.
Summary
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of healthcare staff in the face of potential aggression or violence is essential to safeguarding the workforce, preserving care quality, and maintaining the long-term stability of the healthcare system.
A secure working environment enables staff to provide compassionate, high-quality care—benefiting both patients and the wider NHS. Prioritising staff safety is not merely a duty; it is a strategic investment in the resilience and sustainability of the healthcare sector.
Establishing strategic partnerships that align with operational demands—while acknowledging key priorities and needs—is critical to supporting the successful delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.
Practice Support Officers (PSOs)
A multi functional role designed exclusively to the NHS, providing security and safety to both NHS staff and their patients, when attending GP practices. Assisting therefore releasing the demands of other blue light services by attending matters pertaining to community engagement
Team Alignment Learning & Development
Interactive Conflict Management training for all members of staff.
The objective is to promote continuous safe working practices when dealing with challenging
behaviours and aggression.
Psychotherapy Safety
Managing violence and anti-social behaviour within PCNs. We work to support the NHS safety culture.
Working in partnership with
Denise Smith. Practice Manager at Merepark Medical Centre, Cheshire
Delighted to be part of the implementation of raising security awareness to protect our staff and patients alike. For the last 12 months Tim Marcham and I have been busy preparing the rollout as we both had a passion to protect our teams with the unfortunate rise of criminal acts of violence at gp surgeries. Amazing first session delivered yesterday by GPS. Excellent interaction by the Practice Managers from Cheshire Practices with more sessions to follow in February 2024. Thank you all for your fantastic feedback and support.
Denise Smith Practice Manager at Merepark Medical Centre