Abuse towards staff at a GP surgery in East Yorkshire has led to police being called on multiple occasions. Dr Jennifer Loke, a nurse consultant at the practice, said she was forced to hit the panic button when one patient became verbally aggressive towards her, threatening to kill her if she didn’t provide a prescription. Since 2019, there have been 411 reports of abuse towards GP staff in the region. Although most were verbal, the police investigated assaults, kidnapping, and six death threats. The British Medical Association has called for an end to such harassment.
The vast majority of patient abuse is over the phone and is usually triggered when appointments or prescriptions cannot be given immediately, according to Tom Park-Poulson, a practice administrator. One patient became verbally aggressive and threatened staff after not getting an appointment. Another patient slammed a door in anger, breaking it. Patients have also been physically threatening to staff in the practice, cau
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