FIFE’S NHS staff have said no to violence and aggression in the workplace with the launch of a Zero Tolerance campaign.

Yesterday’s launch at Rothes Halls, Glenrothes, is aimed at stamping out incidents where staff are verbally or physically abused, threatened or assaulted as they go about their work.

NHS police liaison officer, Inspector Gus Leslie, branded such behaviour unacceptable, and added, “What is even more unacceptable is that some members of staff have grown to accept these incidents as part of their job.

“This is a situation which NHS Fife, working closely with Fife Constabulary, is trying to address.

“The purpose of this Zero Tolerance campaign is to raise awareness of the issues involving both NHS staff and the general public.

“The message is perfectly clear—NHS staff will not tolerate acts of violence and aggression towards them and any such incidents will be dealt with.”

NHS Fife’s chief executive George Brechin made it clear that all public sector workers had the right to work without fear of violence and aggressive behaviour.

“We are determined to protect our staff. This campaign aims to raise awareness of this issue,” he said.

The campaign programme will be running in all NHS Fife establishments for the rest of this week.