Mental health trust leads the way to stop violence and aggression

Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust is taking decisive action to reduce violence and aggression towards staff, following a 25% rise in assaults between 2023 and 2024.

Operating under the firm principle that violence is not part of the job, the trust has spent the past 15 months embedding a systematic safety framework to protect frontline staff and create safer environments for patient care. 

This proactive, outcome-focused approach elevates staff safety to a core organisational priority, implementing new measures to reduce the number incidents.

Julie Kirby, Acting Chief Nurse for Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust, said: 

“We believe that no member of staff should feel unsafe at work, ever, and as a trust, we are committed to protecting our colleagues and creating a safer, more respectful environment for everyone who comes to our hospitals.

“We know that violence and aggression can have a lasting impact on staff, yet I continue to see colleagues show extraordinary compassion, even when facing verbal or physical abuse. That professionalism and commitment to patients is remarkable, but it reinforces why encouraging staff to report every incident is so important, so we can support both our teams and our patients.”

The initiative began on acute wards and includes a practical set of tools designed to help staff identify risks early and respond effectively. Following success in acute and forensic services, the approach is now being rolled out into community teams to support staff working in neighbourhood settings.

The safety tools include heat maps, which provide visual data on where incidents occur most frequently and help teams target resources to de-escalate tensions. Incident tracking boards show patterns of behaviour and highlight periods without incidents.

Julie added: “Since introducing this approach, it’s been encouraging to see long runs of ‘green days’, where fewer incidents occur. This shows that reporting and proactive measures really are making a difference in creating safer environments for everyone.”

All incidents, however minor, are recorded and reviewed daily. This enables leaders to respond quickly to emerging trends, adjust staffing or routines, and introduce targeted interventions when needed.

Staff affected by incidents are supported through debriefs, reflective practice sessions, psychological support, and specialist guidance. Compassion remains central to the approach, ensuring high-quality patient care even in challenging circumstances.

Julie said: “Reporting isn’t just paperwork, it’s the first step in protecting staff and improving patient care. While we can’t remove every incident in mental health services, we can create safer environments, provide better resources, and offer the strongest possible support. That commitment will always be at the heart of how we work.”

The trust remains determined to reduce violence and aggression across mental health services in Kent and Medway.