NHS England’s director of primary care Dr Nikki Kanani has reached out in support of the GP practice which was subjected to an anti-GP graffiti attack this weekend.
GPs at the Charlotte Keel Medical Practice in Bristol returned to work on Monday morning to find offensive messaging aimed at the practice’s doctors.
Responding on Twitter to practice GP Dr Shaba Nabi, Dr Kanani said the vandalism was ‘simply unacceptable’.
Pulse understands Dr Kanani has also reached out to the practice in person to offer her support.
GPs have linked the attack to negative messages in the mainstream media about GP practices during the pandemic, calling for more ‘public support’ for general practice.
It comes as NHS England landed itself in hot water with GPs last month after it issued a press release to national newspapers suggesting GPs were not offering face-to-face appointments where necessary.
However, the ongoing advice from NHS England is that practices should remotely triage all patients whilst the Covid-19 pandemic continues.
NHS England’s press office has not returned a Pulse request for comment.
Meanwhile, the RCGP offered its support to the practice. The college commented on the ‘unacceptable abuse’ on Twitter.
And a spokesperson for NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG also commented in support.
They said: ‘We’re extremely disappointed that a local GP practice has been the victim of vandalism at such a significantly challenging time for the NHS. Our GP practice colleagues have shown outstanding dedication and commitment during this extraordinary time, and we express our thanks to them.’
The spokesperson encouraged patients with concerns to contact the CCG via its customer services channels, adding: ‘Our GP practices continue to offer face-to-face appointments. We have moved to a system of telephone, video or online triage in the first instance to understand the best way for people to be treated and to protect both staff and patients from the risk of coronavirus.’
The affected GP practice has also seen an outpouring of support from GP colleagues on Twitter.