National call for zero-tolerance campaign

As reported on GP Online, amid rising incidents, healthcare professionals demand action against patient violence with a nationwide zero-tolerance campaign, after a receptionist was reportedly threatened with a knife

Barlaston Surgery in Staffordshire had to close its doors after the incident took place at around 10am on Monday, 13 November.

Staffordshire Police confirmed that a 58-year-old man who is also a patient at the practice, from Stoke-on-Trent, was arrested on suspicion of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place.

The man, who surrendered the knife when officers arrived at the scene, has since been released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue.

GP partner Dr Victoria Hendley told GPonline the practice had to cancel 50 appointments that day and did not reopen until Tuesday.

She said: ‘All of the appointments have been rescheduled, most patients have been understanding.’

Dr Hendley added: ‘On Tuesday people brought flowers in. We also had patients say: “I’m not surprised that this has happened”.

‘I’ve definitely seen an increase in people being verbally aggressive towards us.’

Zero tolerance

Following the incident, North Staffordshire LMC chair Dr Chandra Kanneganti called for a national campaign calling for zero tolerance from abusive patients.

He added: ‘Reception and administrative staff manage the front [of practices] and we don’t want to lose experienced staff.’

Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit said: ‘All practices should have a zero tolerance approach to any form of threat or abuse. Anyone who abuses staff can be removed from the register.’