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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Andrew Gregory Health editor

GPs tell of ‘appalling’ abuse as violence at UK surgeries worsens

General practitioners say abuse from patients affects both practice staff as well as the care they can give to other patients.
General practitioners say abuse from patients affects both practice staff as well as the care they can give to other patients. Photograph: ChristianChan/Getty Images/iStockphoto

The number of violent incidents at general practices in the UK recorded by the police has almost doubled in the last five years, according to an investigation by the BMJ.

GP leaders say “appalling” assaults, harassment and other forms of abuse aimed at doctors and their staff have worsened during the pandemic, as surgeries came under growing pressure and sections of the media perpetuated the false notion that services were “closed”.

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