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A New Year’s resolution… EDITOR’S COMMENTwith LOUISE FRAMPTON
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL Editor
Louise Frampton
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com
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STEP COMMUNICATIONS ISSN No. 1478-5641
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When this January edition arrives, we will be pledging a multitude of New Year’s resolutions - many of them we know we will not keep: the hopeful gym memberships, the dry January, the giving up chocolate... But one resolution, we should all strive to keep is to be kind to our colleagues. A hard-hitting presentation, at the Association for Perioperative Practice’s annual congress,
reminded us that incivility and unkindness in teams can act like a ‘contagion’. The impact is profound, as Professor Scarlett McNally pointed out: “People are 20% less likely to volunteer something that might help the patient; some become ‘frozen’; even just witnessing it reduces a person’s ability to do what they need to be doing.” A study by Christine Porath found that incivility led to a 61% reduction in cognitive ability; 78% reduced their commitment to work; 48% reduced their time at work; 25% took it out on others; and 12% leave. Will Windsor, Deputy Head of Nursing – Theatres, Pre-assessment and Pain Services, at
Morriston Hospital, commented: “I think each of us should feel empowered to say, ‘enough is enough’ and ‘it’s not acceptable’. Even that coffee room talk – the backbiting about other members of staff – it’s not fair and it’s not kind. In a world where we can be anything, we can be kind. We have an immense amount of empathy built within us as human beings. I think we should start using that empathy and talk more.” Lisa Tierney added, “We lose so many staff because of unkind of behaviour – that toxic atmosphere becomes accepted,” she commented, urging delegates to callout the ‘Three B’s’ (Bitching, Backbiting and Bullying), which is outlined in the AfPP’s Behaviours Charter. This includes stopping gossip, sabotage, and bullying, which can corrode team trust. Will Windsor also commented, “None of us know what is going on in someone else’s life.
Someone could be going through a really tough time…” Thoughtless unkind behaviours can be the factors that tip that person over the edge, causing them to take sick leave due to mental health reasons, or to leave the profession altogether. Christmas is a season for goodwill, but for many, it is a time of increased stress – both at home and at work, as our “buckets become full” and overflow. It becomes more challenging to be kind, when you are feeling burnt out and overworked, and it is easy for incivility to creep into the way we work as teams. So, if there is one New Year’s resolution that you really want to get behind and see through, long after the Quality Street have been consumed, it is to ‘Sign Up to Civility’ and follow the standards of the ‘Behaviours Charter’. The Charter is a comprehensive framework grounded in the belief that civility, empathy, and professionalism are just as vital as clinical proficiency. It sets out clear expectations on how professionals should interact with patients, colleagues, and the wider team. Endorsed by the Centre for Perioperative Care and Civility Saves Lives, the Charter calls on staff to commit to a behavioural standard that ensures the highest quality of care, while fostering a psychologically safe and collaborative workplace. Trust is the cornerstone to effective team working and, in healthcare, it is vital. Fostering trust between colleagues is built on empathetic communication, kindness, and effective collaboration. The AfPP points out that in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment, clinical excellence must be matched by behavioural integrity. It is not enough to have the right skills and knowledge; we must also create a working culture that is safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive. Oliver Tierney, President of AfPP, points out, “When people feel respected, listened to, and
valued, they perform better. Patients are safer, teams are stronger, and morale improves.” It is about creating a culture that everyone can be proud of. It is about being proactively compassionate and supportive; checking in with colleagues and asking, “are you ok?” Simple acts of kindness can go a long way. Ultimately, creating a supportive culture comes from the top, but also from the ground – and every one of us can make a difference. Visit
https://www.afpp.org.uk/ about/afpp-behaviours-charter/ to start a New Year’s resolution that is absolutely worth keeping.
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January 2026 I
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