Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Doctors 'suffer daily abuse' in the UK

A DOCTOR has spoken of the daily abuse he and his staff are subjected to from patients who he suspects are demanding more medication to sell on.

Patients have damaged his car when they were refused sick notes, Dr Muhammad Faisal, of Water Eaton Health Centre in Milton Keynes, said.


The 41-year-old described to Eastern Eye last Thursday (3) how he and his staff are subjected to threats and abuse.

Patients, some of whom who are suspected to be drug addicts, are demanding controlled drugs such as morphine, tramadol and diazepam.

Some also arrive late for their appointments and “demand” to be seen, Dr Faisal said, adding that the patients have a “do what I say” attitude.

At times, patients have barged into the doctor’s room when they were seeing other patients.

“They feel like we are their servants and they dictate. Not only to the doctors in the practice, but the rest of the staff. The abuse happens on a daily basis. Some patients lose their temper very easily. We’ve had to remove them for rude behaviour. We are struggling. It is so difficult. It’s so abusive. I will not be able to recruit any staff. It’s a shame,” he said.

The doctor, who has been working at the practise since 2015, claimed that patients come up with “excuses” to get additional medication, citing  that pet dogs ate the medication, or that they lost medicines on the bus.

In some instances, patients claimed to have been stabbed and hence had the controlled drugs stolen from them.

Dr Faisal said the NHS responded to his complaints, but have told him there is nothing they can do, as they are an independent practice, “so we have to manage our own office.”

He called the police and they responded, he said: “They are giving us support. So, let’s see.”

Obi Amandi, the lead professional officer at the trade union Unite, said no one should have to work under the threat of daily abuse.

“These kinds of things are not acceptable and they shouldn’t happen. Caring professionals who are trying to help the public deserve respect and they shouldn’t be treated that way.

“Yes, your job is to treat people and care for them, but that care shouldn’t mean that it’s OK for them to abuse you.”

Amandi said a multitude of factors has contributed to the increased abuse. She told Eastern Eye there are fewer doctors and nurses because they have to take loans in order to be trained, adding that the government has not invested enough into the workforce.

“It’s many things that are making the situation worse and leading us further away from being able to solve [the issue] if we were better resourced and better able to support people.”

Primary Concerns 2016, a report based on a survey of health professionals, showed that 70 per cent of GP practice staff had faced some sort of abuse in 2016, a rise of 57 per cent from the previous year.

The most common form of abuse was verbal, with 64 per cent reporting such incidents; six per cent had faced physical abuse.

Dr Faisal said: “My job is not to keep the patient happy, it is to keep the patient healthy.”

He said while he switched off once he left the practice, it was not as easy for some of his staff.

“It’s definitely been affecting my staff so I am supporting them now, especially if they are experiencing rude behaviour. We issue a warning letter to patients. If it happens a second time, we remove them. If they use profanities, we remove them. We are taking strong action.

“Doctors are starting to just call the police when a patient is abusive. We’d rather call the police than give them what they want,” he said.

The NHS said it was working on new guidance on dealing with abusive patients, but would not comment specifically on Dr. Faisal’s complaints.

More For You

Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India crash probe finds fuel to engines was cut off before impact

Highlights

 
     
  • Fuel to both engines of the Air India flight was cut off seconds before the crash
  •  
  • A pilot was heard questioning the other over the cut-off; both denied initiating it.
  •  
  • The Dreamliner crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people.
  •  
  • Investigators are focusing on fuel switch movement; full analysis may take months.

FUEL control switches to both engines of the Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff were moved from the "run" to the "cutoff" position seconds before the crash, according to a preliminary investigation report released early Saturday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have consistently reported Chinese research vessel presence. (Representational image: Getty Images)

Chinese vessel tracked in Bay of Bengal after disabling identification system

A Chinese research vessel was detected operating in the Bay of Bengal near Indian waters while attempting to conceal its presence by disabling its Automatic Identification System (AIS), according to a report by The Economic Times, citing French maritime intelligence firm Unseenlabs.

The French company conducted a 16-day satellite-based survey tracking ships through radio frequency emissions. It monitored 1,897 vessels, with 9.6 per cent showing no AIS activity, indicating attempts to avoid detection. The survey raised concerns amid increased Chinese activity in the region.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian-inspired garden earns
five awards at Hampton Court

(From left) Malcolm Anderson (RHS, head of sustainability) Clare Matterson (RHS director general), Lorraine Bishton (Subaru UK and Ireland, managing director) Andrew Ball (director, Big Fish Landscapes) Mike McMahon and Jewlsy Mathews with the medals

Asian-inspired garden earns five awards at Hampton Court

BRITISH Asians are being encouraged to take up gardening by a couple who have won a record five medals at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.

“It’s a contemporary reimagining of a traditional walled garden, highlighting the British and Irish rainforests,” said Jewlsy Mathews, who was born in Britain of parents from Kerala, a southern Indian state known for its lush vegetation.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less