Medical leadership in Lanarkshire have backed a UK wide-campaign which brings abuse of GP staff into sharp focus.
“If I die, it will be your fault,” is just one of the many comments heard by GP reception staff throughout the UK. It’s also the title of a short video, created by the Institute of General Practice Management (IGPM). The hard-hitting clip features general practice staff quoting, verbatim, some of the hostility directed at them in recent weeks.
This includes direct threats of violence and withering personal abuse.
Dr Linda Findlay, Medical Director of South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “These voices are from across the United Kingdom. But the experience conveyed in the clip has resonated – and is sadly all too familiar – with the local experience of colleagues from across Lanarkshire.
“Many GP colleagues have fed back to me they are currently sustaining similar levels of abuse – particularly reception staff.”
Following the release of the video, Dr Findlay reiterated that partners across Lanarkshire, including NHS Lanarkshire and the respective North and South Health and Social Care Partnerships, take a zero tolerance approach to violence and aggression.
“The majority of the public continue to be very supportive of our staff – and our colleagues in primary and community care – and we would thank them for that.
“Sadly, however, we have received reports that, a minority have been engaging in behaviours and attitudes, very similar to those depicted in the short clip from the IGPM. This is completely unacceptable.
“We have a very clear message to those who would display any form of violent or aggressive behaviour, be it verbal or physical, towards our staff: It never has been tolerated and it will certainly not be tolerated now.”
Demand for access to GPs is exceptional at present and colleagues across General Practice continue to work tirelessly to provide a high level of care to local communities.
Dr Findlay added: “We’d plea to people to keep bearing with us and please be kind to our staff and colleagues who are committed to caring, no matter the circumstances.”
