'Completely unacceptable': Patients threatening hospital staff when told to wear masks

Hospital staff in Sussex have been faced with aggressive behaviour from patients when asking them to follow hospital rules.

University Hospitals Sussex Trust says some people have not been wearing masks within the hospitals and have been turning up in groups of three.

This is despite Covid safety measures which include a one visitor policy.

The Trust operates seven hospitals in Sussex including St Richard's in Worthing, Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, and Southlands Hospital in Shoreham-by-Sea.

It is now repeating calls for the public to respect staff and follow the rules, as coronavirus cases in the county have risen by nearly 50% in a week.

The policy, which has been place for several months, allows for one visitor per patient for one hour a day, which must be pre-booked. There are exceptions for maternity and neonatal wards, when visiting children or for visiting patients receiving end of life care.

Admissions of patients with the virus are also increasing, providing more challenges for the NHS across the country.

Maggie Davies, Chief Nurse, said: "There is still a pandemic going on and that is why we must have restrictions in our hospitals to help protect patients, staff and visitors.

"Visitors will complain about wearing a face mask. This can lead to really unpleasant behaviour and attitude that our staff really shouldn't have to deal with."