Behaviour standards

Anti-abuse, violence, aggression and discrimination 

We want Royal Papworth Hospital to be an environment free from abuse, violence, aggression, discrimination and harassment. This helps us to deliver the very best patient care. 

We will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour directed at NHS staff, volunteers, patients and visitors.

Unacceptable behaviour includes but is not limited to:

• Acts of violence.
• Hate crime or other discriminatory behaviour, such as racist, homophobic, religious, sexual, sexist, stereotypical, ageist language or remarks. 
• Inappropriate or unwanted sexual gestures, behaviour or contact.
• Threatening or abusive language, which may or may not involving swearing or offensive remarks.
• Malicious allegations relating to members of staff, other patients or visitors.
• Abusing alcohol or drugs on hospital premises.
• Actual or threatened criminal damage to Trust property or staff property.
• Theft.
• Excessive noise including loud or intrusive conversation or shouting.
• Failure to comply with Trust protocols (for example, no smoking/vaping policy).

Abusive, violent or aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone in breach may be asked to leave our premises and may result in security and/or the police being contacted, which could affect our ability to provide our services.

Social media, photography, filming and recording 

The use of mobile devices, smart phones, tablets and digital cameras are a convenient way of keeping in touch with relatives and friends while in hospital. 

It can also be a powerful way of raising awareness of medical conditions and helping others to feel reassured about receiving hospital treatment.  

However, we also have a legal duty to protect the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of our patients and staff.

Filming and photography in any form is not permitted in communal areas of our hospital unless prior permission has been sought and granted from our communications team.

We recognise that patients play an important part in raising awareness of health conditions and NHS treatment and as such you may want to capture photos and videos to document your journey. Due to the nature of our single, inpatient bedrooms, this can be done in a safe and sensible way.

To protect yourself and the privacy of others, you should never: 

• Film, photograph or record anyone without consent, including our staff or members of the public. Taking a photo or video could breach someone else’s right to privacy, even if they are in the background.
• Make video calls in a way that means the person you are talking to can see or hear any other patients, visitors or members of staff.
• Make calls or use your phone in a way that disturbs other patients or the delivery of care.
• Photograph or video any sensitive, personal information (eg your hospital number, date of birth), as this could be used fraudulently.

Failure to comply with these standards of behaviour and/or failure to respect the privacy of others could result in security and/or the police being contacted, which may affect our ability to provide our services.