Medics who have battled coronavirus on the front line for more than a year and a half have faced a torrent of abuse from patients, a health boss has warned.

NHS leaders in Sussex have warned of a “rising level of abuse” towards GPs as it called on the public to be kind to NHS workers.

It comes after an increase in reports from GP practices across our communities of the abuse and threats being experienced by their teams.

The Argus: GPs in Sussex have been targeted with death threats and online abuseGPs in Sussex have been targeted with death threats and online abuse

Examples include reception teams receiving death threats, online abuse against individual members of staff, and vandalism and broken property at surgeries.

Dr Andy Hodson, GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We would like to thank the vast majority of patients for their kindness, patience and understanding for our GP practice teams.

“Local GPs and their practice teams are working incredibly hard to provide care and support for their patients, provide appointments on a day to day basis that works best for the needs of the patient and keeps everyone safe, address the health checks and reviews that are due as a result of the pandemic, and right now lead the roll out for the COVID-19 vaccination programme and the seasonal flu vaccinations.

“The abuse that some GP practices are experiencing as they work tirelessly to care for their patients is not acceptable.

“No-one should be made to feel intimidated or abused simply for doing their job.

“We are challenging these behaviours and they will not be tolerated.”

Demand for NHS services is high and data from August shows that more than 717,725 appointments took place in GP practices in Sussex – 58.8 per cent of which were face-to-face.

Dr David Warden, GP and Clinical Chair of NHS East Sussex said: “With more than 30,000 appointments happening in GP practices in Sussex every day, it is important to understand the experience of patients.

“The latest GP Patient Survey shows that more than 85 per cent of patients in Sussex said that they have a good overall experience from their GP practice.

“Further to this 70 per cent of patients say it is easy to get through on the phone, and 85 per cent of patients say they were satisfied with the type of appointment they were offered.

“GP practices are working incredibly hard to support their patients in this way and keep the level of care high.

“We ask that you to continue to show them kindness, and help them help you at this time.”

A new poll from the doctors’ union found that more than a third of doctors nationally have faced “recent abuse” from patients or those accompanying them to appointments.

An NHS spokesperson said: “It is not acceptable that NHS staff – who have devoted their days, nights and weekends to protecting patients in one of the most challenging environments ever faced – are experiencing abusive, intimidating and violent behaviour.

“The NHS will not tolerate abuse or violence directed at staff and despite the despicable actions of a minority, the overwhelming support from the public during the pandemic has meant a great deal to staff, who are proud to have helped millions of patients over the last year.”

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