RCGP respond to BMJ investigation on the increase in abuse against GP staff

The following is a response to a BMJ investigation on the increase in abuse against GP staff, by the chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners

Professor Martin Marshall said:

“The findings from this investigation need to be taken seriously. It’s entirely unacceptable for anyone working in general practice to be at the receiving end of abuse of any kind when they are just doing their best to deliver vital care and services to patients, but the increase in reports of physical violence is particularly distressing.

“The vast majority of patients appreciate that GPs and our teams right across the country are doing the best we can under immense pressure and treat our staff with respect. But increased levels of abuse, as shown in this report, will be having a significant impact on the mental health, wellbeing and morale of individual doctors and practice staff. This, alongside the intense pressures GPs and our teams are working under, and sustained media and political scrutiny of our new ways of working since the pandemic are undoubtedly contributing to some people evaluating whether they’re able to continue working in general practice.

“There may be many reasons why a patient may express aggressive behaviour, none of which are acceptable. We understand and share our patients’ frustrations when they struggle to access timely and appropriate GP care. But this is not the fault of GPs and our teams – the real issue, is a shortage of GPs and other practice staff meaning our workforce is not big enough to manage the increasing health needs of our patients.

“This was the case before the pandemic, and has only been exacerbated by the crisis. The government made a manifesto pledge of an additional 6,000 GPs by 2024 – plus 26,000 additional practice staff – and we urgently need these numbers to be delivered so that we can safely deliver the care and services that our patients need, now and in the future.”