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.

Last updated: August 2024

© 2024 The Christie NHS Foundation Trust