Hospital staff faced 'hostility and abuse' while trying to treat people who were injured during the riots in Hanley.

Workers at the Royal Stoke University Hospital were abused by patients and other members of the public following the violent disorder in the city centre on Saturday.

Bosses have now promised a 'zero tolerance' approach to such behaviour in future. And they have also warned that any employee found to have been involved in Saturday's events could face dismissal or disciplinary proceedings.

Hundreds of protesters and counter-protesters descended on the city centre, resulting in violent clashes, with members of both groups wielding weapons. Police arrested 10 people on the day, and reported that one man was taken to hospital after being hit by a blunt object.

Hospital staff at Royal Stoke were abused by patients following the disorder in Hanley (SWNS).

Similar scenes have were seen in Tamworth and other towns and cities across the country, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised that the 'far right thugs' responsible would be brought to justice.

University Hospitals of North Midlands chair David Wakefield praised staff for the way they responded to the aftermath of Saturday's riots. But he told Wednesday's trust board meeting that the behaviour of some members of the public had been 'unacceptable'.

He said: "We've all witnessed the appalling scenes over the last few days, and sadly it's impacted on our localities, our organisation and our staff.

"First I'd like to thank everyone in our trust for the magnificent way they responded to those who turned up in our emergency department requiring treatment. It's now clear that, regrettably, while helping patients, some of our staff faced a level of unacceptable behaviour, hostility and abuse from some members of the public, including those seeking treatment.

Officials praised hospital staff for how they responded to the aftermath of Saturday's riots (SWNS).

"I want to make it very clear, on behalf of this board, that such behaviour is completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated in any way. I also want to express our gratitude to our frontline staff, and to members of our security team and the police force, who faced down this hostility, and to provide assurance that every member of staff will be supported in every way possible, should such behaviour occur again in future.

"I'd also like to highlight publicly, that any member of our trust found to be involved in the appalling scenes, or are found to be guilty of online abuse or incitement, will be subject to disciplinary proceedings, which could result in dismissal in addition to prosecution.

"Our message is clear: we condemn the recent actions members of our community, our staff and local properties. The trust will not tolerate discrimination, abuse, violence of any sort, or threatening behaviour."

Director of strategy and performance Helen Ashley said an email had gone out to all staff, setting out the trust's zero tolerance approach to staff facing abuse, and offering support to anyone with concerns.

Non-executive director Sunita Toor welcomed the support being offered to staff, but suggested that zero tolerance often proved a challenge to organisations.

Bosses have promised a 'zero tolerance' approach to such behaviour (SWNS).

She said: "It's a fairly vulnerable time for people who are non-white, it's fair to say. I notice that amongst my own community, but also nationally on some of the command teams I sit on.

"I think many organisations struggle with zero tolerance because they don't understand, collectively, what zero tolerance means. You can use the language but action around it is something that needs to be developed."

Chief medical officer Matthew Lewis added: "I recognise the need to take a zero tolerance approach as much as possible. But there is the complexity about being a hospital service, and so we have to recognise that some people will present with mental health issues, or delirium, which might colour their own judgement. And equally there are going to be some patients who present with such critical illnesses that we are obliged to treat them."

Mr Wakefield acknowledged these points and called for a clearer definition of zero tolerance to be drawn up, so it could be discussed at a future board meeting.

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READ MORE: What's on in Stoke this weekend: Spitfire Family Day, Caudwell Children Open Day and Tales in the Park

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