Woman charged after patient ‘assaulted members of staff’ at GP practice

Exclusive A woman has been charged with assaulting emergency workers after police were called to an incident at a GP practice last month. 

Jules Coogan, 35, of Honeysuckle Way, Witham, Essex, has been charged with two counts of assault and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.  

It follows an incident at the Fern House Surgery in Witham on 24 April in which ‘a patient became aggressive and assaulted members of staff’, according to a bulletin on the practice’s website. 

The practice said: ‘Police are investigating an incident [at] the practice this morning where a patient became aggressive and assaulted members of staff. No one required hospital treatment, but this was a distressing incident and we are supporting those affected.  

‘Violence against NHS staff is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.’ 

It said the incident was causing ‘disruption to services’ that day (Friday) which would be ‘expected to resume … on Monday’. 

An Essex Police spokesperson told Pulse: ‘Officers were called to an address in Newland Street at around 7.45am on 24 April to reports three women and a man had been assaulted. A woman was arrested. 

‘She is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on 11 June.’ 

Pulse has reported extensively on incidents of GP abuse and vandalism of GP practices. 

Medical defence organisation MDDUS has found a quarter of GPs said they or a member of their team were subjected to physical violence from patients in 2024, while over 80% of GPs experienced verbal abuse.