Footballers support NHS anti-violence campaign

A Kent football team is supporting a campaign to reduce violence against nurses and other NHS staff.

Gillingham FC has joined forces with the RCN to support a regional advertising campaign in Kent which tackles physical abuse of NHS staff.

The 'Your Choice of Treatment' campaign follows data showing that 1,870 NHS staff have been physically assaulted by patients in the county over the last three years.

Gillingham FC Manager Mark Stimson said: 'I have friends and family who work in the NHS and to think that any one of them could become a victim of abuse while they are just trying to do their job – that just disgusts me. Even one assault on a nurse, doctor or ambulance officer is one too many.'

RCN regional director Helen Willetts added: 'It's great to see the players so eager to help spread the word that violence and abuse of NHS staff is never acceptable.'