GPs issue SOS in face of ‘relentless’ abuse in UK
Media reports about GP closures during pandemic have triggered a patient backlash, doctors write
GPs have issued an SOS on behalf of UK primary care staff dealing with abuse, graffiti and patient backlash over misleading reports that they’re not open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Doctors already pushed to the limit by the pandemic, and who have lost colleagues along the way, are now facing a “relentless” backlash they believe is driven by misleading media reports, two GPs write in a BMJ blog.
“We are reading headlines saying we are ‘closed’ yet we are working harder than ever before”, say Watford GP Dr Simon Hodes and Dr Neena Jha, a GP in Hertfordshire.
“Last week we witnessed with horror and distress images of foul graffiti smeared across a GP surgery.
