Have you heard of Operation Cavell?

Healthwatch Reading

5 minutes ago

2 min read

At our recent Racism in Care Forum, we heard about Operation Cavell, a national initiative that brings together NHS organisations and police forces to improve responses to violence, aggression, abuse and discrimination directed towards healthcare staff.

Guest speaker Alison Drew, Associate Chief Nurse for Patient Experience, Workforce and Education, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, highlighted that everyone has the right to feel safe when accessing or delivering care. While healthcare settings can sometimes be challenging environments, violence, harassment, racism, discrimination and abuse should never be accepted as part of the job.

You can view the Operation Cavell presentation slides here.

During 2025/26, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (BHFT) recorded 1,576 incidents of violence, aggression and abuse towards staff, including physical assaults, verbal abuse, threats, discrimination and online abuse.

Thames Valley Police is working with both BHFT and Royal Berkshire NHS Healthcare Trust (Royal Berkshire Hospital) to tackle violence, abuse and discrimination against NHS staff. By improving reporting, support and investigation processes, Operation Cavell aims to reduce incidents and help make healthcare settings safer for staff, patients and visitors.

But we all have a part to play in creating safe and respectful healthcare environments. Treating staff, patients and visitors with kindness and respect helps ensure everyone can give and receive the best possible care.

For more information: Op Cavell - Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

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