A GP's surgery waiting room in England has been completely wrecked by a patient, with the local GP blaming the violent outburst on "negative media narrative, anti-GP rhetoric, unrelenting demand and unrealistic expectations".
Images shared by Dr Shehla Imtiaz-Umer show the waiting room at Wilson Street Surgery, Derby with chairs upturned, leaflets scattered across the floor and Christmas decorations ripped from the walls.
In a tweet which has been shared widely, Dr Imtiaz-Umer wrote: "The anti-GP violence, abuse and aggression continue unabated.
"This is our waiting room at Wilson Street Surgery yesterday after a patient trashed it. Negative media narrative, anti-GP rhetoric, unrelenting demand and unrealistic expectations leads to this level of violence. Where will it end?"
In a second tweet, she added: "Instead of caring for patients, we have to plan security for our patients’ and colleagues’ safety. Unacceptable for anyone to have to work under these circumstances with escalating attacks. It was a miracle that no one was physically harmed. Who or what will stop this?"
Many have taken to social media to condemn the violent action and show their support for the surgery, Derbyshire Live reports.
"I’m so sorry you had to experience this Shehla and I hope you’re ok. GPs are ace and everyone should value them," one wrote.
Another added: "I’m relieved to read that no members of staff were physically hurt. I hope that you involved the police and off-listed the patient concerned. That is in no way acceptable. I hope that you are all coping ok in the aftermath of this."
Last year, Derbyshire Live spoke to Dr Imtiaz-Umer about the increased level of abuse GPs have been subjected to in recent years.
She said at the time: "Unfortunately we are facing a lot of verbal and at times physical abuse, there is a lot of abuse stemming from frustration.
"I’ve personally had patients swearing at me and saying they do not think I am qualified to make the view I have on their symptoms despite telling them I am qualified. We have had patients banging on the windows and vandalising property and we have had to call the police."
“Our receptionists have been verbally abused by patients trying to book appointments. I think patients are worried and frustrated and they feel that they can take that anger and frustration out on us.
“It is just not helpful to swear and shout at us. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards patients regarding verbal and physical abuse.
“We have had to de-register a couple of patients because of these incidents. We try not to let it get that far but when we are threatened we have little choice and need to maintain that duty of care to our staff.
“It is not something we like doing but sometimes have to do.”
Her message is simple - treat staff with respect and courtesy: “Be kind and be patient to GPs and reception staff who are doing everything we can to help people."
A 2021 survey from the NHS found that out of 600,000 NHS staff, 14.3% experienced at least one incident of physical violence from patients, service users, relatives or other members of the public in the preceding 12 months.
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