Why are GP practices working differently?

Due to the pandemic, practices have had to adapt the way they work and how services are provided in order to keep both patients and staff safe.

To support local GP practice staff and help stem the ongoing criticisms and the worrying rise of physical and verbal abuse, we have developed this communications toolkit that contains a number of resources that we hope you will find useful.

Firstly, we want to make it clear that the NHS in mid and south Essex takes a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and aggression towards our staff and our patients. All staff have a right to work in a safe environment.

The Government and NHS England announced a plan to work with the trade unions and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges to launch a zero-tolerance campaign on abuse of NHS staff. We will be keeping an eye out and sharing any resulting communications and hope these materials will prove to be a useful resource in the interim.

Important: Please ensure you report all incidents of abuse that threaten staff safety and wellbeing to: [email protected]

Campaign summary

We have developed a summary of the campaign roll-out, which gives an overview of the impact the campaign has had locally. 

Links to existing zero-tolerance resources

Please visit this website to locate existing resources that can be used to support your practices’ zero-tolerance policies. 

Communications resources

We have developed local infographics to explain why/how GP services are working. We encourage practices to use on their websites and across other channels such as social media. These have been developed based on insight from local residents and a behavioural consultant.

We have launched a webpage for the campaign to give residents information about additional ways to access support, explain why access to services has changed, and answer some of the common questions they may have. Please signpost people to this page when using these campaign materials. You may also wish to use this information on your own GP practice website.

Top tips to support practices to get patients on board

Summarising what we have heard from local people, we have developed three top tips to support practices to get patients on board.

Staff health and wellbeing support and training

All health and care staff in Essex can receive support by calling Here For You. You can call them 24/7 to confidentially talk through any problems you’re facing, whatever they may be on 0344 257 3960.

Here For You also has a range of additional support options. Visit https://www.hereforyou.info to find out more.

Why not download the below poster and put it up in common room spaces or in staff toilets to help raise awareness of the local offer?