9 in 10 GPs abused in the last month according to BMA Scotland
The Union says massive patient demand is pushing doctors, nurses and receptionists to the brink, with many considering their future in the profession.
Last updated 26th May 2021
Nine in ten GPs have reported to BMA Scotland that they or their staff have experienced verbal or physical abuse in the past month.
The body says GPs are at breaking point and tackling "unmanageable workloads and serious concerns about the level of support they will receive to care for patient."
The survey of 669 GPs across Scotland also found that GPs and their practice staff are facing unacceptable abusive behaviour from members of the public – with almost 9 out of 10 (87.7%) saying they or their staff have been subjected to verbal or physical abuse in the past month alone, and almost two thirds (65.9%) saying it has deteriorated since the beginning of the pandemic.
As a result, around 70% of GPs surveyed have said they are now more likely to take early retirement or leave the profession altogether.
Dr Andrew Buist, chair of the BMA’s Scottish GP Committee, said:
“The results of this survey make for extremely difficult – and disappointing
“Let’s be clear and absolutely put to bed the damaging myth that GPs were closed during the pandemic. Yes, we had to see people differently – but all the evidence suggests that meant working harder than ever."
"We are desperately short of GPs in Scotland"
Buist warns that the treatment many GPss and their staff are receiving is making them consider their future in the career path, at the worst possible time for the country to be losing medical staff.
He said:
“We are desperately short of GPs in Scotland and at a time when our resources and capacity is finite, we need to ensure we make best use of our working day – that includes triaging patients over the telephone first so that we can prioritise those with the highest level of need, much in the same way as happens in hospitals."
Buist admits it's understandable that the public are frustrated with lockdown, and told us he is too, but urged the public to show patience.
“The current situation is causing frustration among members of the public which is understandable to a point as they see cases at low levels and expect access to GP to return to exactly as it was before.
"However, no matter how challenging this is for us all, it is utterly unacceptable that GPs and their practice staff are being subjected to verbal or physical abuse"
How to fix it?
"We urgently need reassurance from the Scottish Government that General Practice will be adequately supported as we recover from this pandemic" said Buist.
"We need their support to ensure that public messaging around the work of general practice is consistent and honest. GPs can only work within the limitations we face right now, and we need the Scottish Government, and indeed all politicians, to be clear and realistic in their messaging about just what is possible for GPs at the moment.
"We also need an unambiguous statement from our political leaders that the public must be patient and understanding and that abuse of health and social care staff trying to do their best in difficult circumstances is unacceptable.
"We need to step-up the pace of transformation to fully implement the 2018 GMS contract, including a renewed focus on recruitment of staff from across professions to work as part of practice teams; and finally we need national support for practice Protected Learning Time for GPs and their staff to reflect on the changes brought about by the pandemic, and for planning and recovery of their services going forward;
“Looking longer term; Scotland was promised 800 additional GPs by 2027, we need the new Health Secretary’s recommitment to that as quickly as possible, along with a clear understanding of what workforce we have now and how plans to increase the number of GPs will be achieved as part of a comprehensive workforce plan.”