"fifty fifty: staff and patients"

Whilst I agree some staff can be rude for all sorts of reasons, no one speaks up for the staff who have to put up with foul mouth insults thrown at them. I work in an outpatients dept and the language and suggestions of what to do to myself are beyond belief, and this is not just from youngsters but older supposedly more polite members of society. If I could wave a magic wand to give them the appointment they want, I would, but it's impossible and when they don't turn up and then demand another appointment which you cannot give. The language gets quite nasty both in person and on the phone. I appreciate the patients may be in pain, suffering all sorts of problems, but then so do the staff (who could have family problems, their own health issues, even bereavement). A little thoughtfulness on both sides could help.