As patients we expect to receive respect and consideration from doctors, nurses and practice staff. Like most relationships these expectations work both ways. It should be a no-brainer that we treat these persons, who after all, spend their lives trying to help us, with similar courtesy.
Alas, that is not always the case.
As in every organisation, NHS staff in every sort of practice from Hospital, to GP practice, to the local Pharmacy, have to conform to regulations, protocols and the constraints of the availability of services at any given time. They cannot conjure up appointments at will, nor can they supply prescription medicines at the drop of the hat. Being rude or trying to bully staff will not change these facts, but will just lower staff morale and make it more likely that staff will seek employment in a less fraught place of employment.
Good staff are invaluable in any organisation– we do not want to lose them from our GP practices and other areas of the NHS.
Everyone should be aware that there is an NHS Zero tolerance policy to abuse of NHS staff by anybody, internally or externally. That means any abuse, be it verbal, physical or racial.
There are of course less obvious, but possibly more toxic methods of abuse, that wear down the morale of people over a longer period, but are possibly more insidious in the long term. I speak of the casual but repeated, sniping and gossiping where the good name of the practice, it’s practitioners and its staff are derided, criticised or demeaned by the odd bit of vitriol dripped into the ears of fellow patients, or members of staff less likely to be equipped to deal with such poison. The criticism may be delivered in the form of a joke or a seemingly mild observation. The damage done is nevertheless the same.
The people who deliver this sort of vitriol are sometimes seemingly pillars of the community – ones who you would expect to support people doing their best in an increasingly difficult NHS structure; not criticize it unnecessarily.
So beware those people who persistently deliver negativity – they are helping no-one, including themselves.
Finally, and regrettably, be aware of those who conduct their vile behaviour via social media. The internet is powerful, but whatever you put out into the world on those platforms, either directly or in a supporting role, is still subject to the laws of the country.
The laws of slander and libel still hold, and some racist behaviours can be prosecuted under the heading of hate crimes.
No-one wants to get into that form of extreme reaction, of course.
So respect, show consideration, and be kind. You feel happier with yourself when you do!
If you wish to make a complaint, suggestion, or comment and feel awkward about doing so, you may email this blog, and we will pass your message on ANONYMOUSLY to the practice. All communications are read in the utmost confidence. Email address: duddonvalleyppg @ gmail.com (please remove spaces when emailing us.) Please indicate if you wish us to keep your email on record or not.
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