Don’t bully our staff on social media, says GP practice

A GP practice in Hertfordshire has spoken out after ‘hurtful’ comments about its staff members were posted on social media.

Red House Surgery in Radlett said that a number comments received by their staff on social media could be seen ‘as tantamount to bullying’ and wrote to its patients asking them to address concerns directly with the practice ‘rather than in a public forum’.

It also said that the practice will have ‘no hesitation’ taking legal advice if comments ‘persist’.

In a statement, the practice said: ‘Our staff are working very hard and are doing a brilliant job in an increasingly stressful environment and difficult circumstances.

‘We appreciate that the current state of the NHS causes huge amounts of anxiety and worry amongst patients but we are doing the very best we can for all of our patients.

‘The member of staff named in the posts has the full support of all the partners at the surgery and we have no concerns about their clinical competence or how they have managed their patients.

‘Repeated posts and comments could be seen as tantamount to bullying and some of the comments could be considered as defamation of character.’

The surgery also said that the posts could result in staff members leaving their roles ‘due the stress and distress that they cause’.

‘This would have a very significant impact on access in terms of appointments we can offer, which may result in patients being turned away and asked to attend other services due to our lack of available appointments,’ the statement added.

Dr Violaine Carpenter, a GP partner at the practice, told Pulse that many clinicians are facing burnout and that ‘such bullying behaviour’ on social media ‘could be the final straw for many’.

She said: ‘The lengthy and malicious thread which followed the original post was deeply distressing to the individual involved. We felt it important to respond quickly and robustly to prevent an escalation in the situation and send a clear message that this behaviour is not acceptable. 

‘We are seeing an increasingly number of these social media posts which we feel are often misrepresentative of the facts. As they are posted on public forums we have no ability to respond with our version of the events. 

‘With the increasing pressure facing the NHS, many clinicians are facing burnout and such bullying behaviour on social media could be the final straw for many, both professionally and personally. We must protect and support all our staff in the incredible work they do.’

Several other practices have spoken out about verbal abuse recently, including a GP practice in Cumbria who also appealed to its patients after ‘an increase in abuse’ brought staff to tears.

A council report released last year found that GP practice staff face rising abuse due to media reporting as well as ‘often unchallenged’ views expressed on social media.

Last month, a UK-wide survey of more than 2,000 doctors – of which 617 were GPs – found that 85% of GPs have reported receiving verbal abuse from patients within the last 12 months.

And GPs were encouraged to identify abusive or violent patients who may benefit from a rehabilitation programme.