Keeping patients, visitors and staff safe

Code of behaviour for patients and visitors

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust aims to give its patients high quality care in a secure environment. While you are in our care or visiting our premises, you have the right to expect courtesy and consideration from our staff and from other patients and visitors, and they have the right to expect the same courtesy and consideration from you.

Being in a hospital as a patient, outpatient or visitor can be a frightening experience. You may be worried about your condition or that of your relative; you may be anxious about your treatment or frustrated by the inevitable delays and problems that occur when a very large organisation is trying to look after the needs of many people every day. We will do our best to keep you informed, answer your questions and ease your worries. In return, we ask that you help us and each other by obeying some simple rules of behaviour.

Please note that the following behaviours are unacceptable on Trust premises:

  • Violence to persons or property
  • Threatening behaviour
  • Threatening or abusive language involving excessive swearing or offensive remarks
  • Derogatory racial or sexual remarks
  • Offensive sexual gestures or behaviours
  • Shouting, or loud or intrusive conversation
  • Criminal activity, such as theft or drug dealing/taking
  • Abusing alcohol and drunkenness
  • Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.

If you do any of the above you will be asked to stop. If you persist in unacceptable behaviour, the Trust reserves the right to do the following:

  1. Have visitors escorted off the premises and, if necessary, restrict or ban further visits.
  2. Issue verbal warnings to patients whose behaviour is unacceptable.
  3. Issue a written warning if unacceptable behaviour persists.
  4. Issue a written Final Warning if the unacceptable behaviour still persists.
  5. In the last resort, remove the patient from Trust premises and cease treatment.
  6. Report any criminal activity to the police.
  7. Prosecute anyone causing injury or damage.

The Trust will only exclude a patient whose behaviour persistently puts other patients, staff or property at risk. The Trust will not exclude patients who require emergency treatment, or whose behaviour results from their illness or treatment.

Sexual safety at work

Alongside over 300 NHS organisations, The Christie has signed up to the NHS Sexual Safety Charter. This charter reiterates our ongoing commitment to ensure that those who work, train, and learn at The Christie have the right to be safe and feel supported at work.

The charter requires us to commit to 10 principles and to implement the actions it sets out to improve safety at work. There is no place for unwanted, inappropriate or harmful sexualised behaviours within The Christie and we are committed to taking action to prevent and address these actions.

You can also read The Christie's sexual safety at work policy to see how we're demonstrating clear reporting mechanisms, training and support for all our staff.

  1. We will actively work to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
  2. We will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.
  3. We will take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate.
  4. We will provide appropriate support for those in our workforce who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours.
  5. We will clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour.
  6. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. They will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators.
  7. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place.
  8. We will ensure appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours
  9. We will take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases.
  10. We will capture and share data on prevalence and staff experience transparently.

Last updated: November 2024

© 2024 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust