Two thirds of GPs experience abuse from patients, Pulse reports

The Primary Concerns report, from Pulse, has highlighted that rising numbers of GPs have experienced some form of verbal, written or physical abuse from patients in the past 12 months.

The research involved surveying almost 2,000 primary care workers, including 600 GPs, and found that 66 per cent have experienced abuse - a rise of seven percentage points from the year before.

Figures indicated around four per cent of GPs experienced physical violence from patients in the past 12 months, compared to two per cent the previous year. In the same time period, 61 per cent of GPs reported having experienced verbal abuse - an increase from 55 per cent the year before. Finally, 24 per cent of GPs received written abuse, up from 17 per cent in 2015.

Across all primary care workers, the numbers experiencing abuse were reported as: verbal - 64 per cent (up from 54 per cent); physical – six per cent (unchanged); and written – 24 per cent (up from12 per cent).

The report said: “Physical abuse from patients was rated as having no effect on morale, whereas verbal abuse from patients seemingly had a greater impact. While this only had a moderate effect on GPs, it was rated more highly by practice managers - the professional group most likely to receive this form of abuse.'

Dr Richard Vautrey, GPC deputy chair, said: “It is very concerning that any patient feels that they can act in this way when GPs and their staff are doing their best to help and care for them.

“The NHS must not only adopt a zero tolerance policy to abusive behaviour but must also back up practice staff when they are subjected to these type of incidents.’

He added: “Whilst some GPs have been subjected to appalling levels of verbal and physical abuse they are aware that there remains a level of respect for them shown by patients which is not equally shown for their staff, in particular those on the front line such as reception staff and practice managers.”