Lambeth: Row erupts over GP complaint about face-to-face meetings

Residents have reacted angrily after a South London doctor complained about not having the resources to meet patients face-to-face.

Brixton Hill Group Practice sent a message to its patients saying that staff shortages and high workload were making it difficult for the practice to provide its services.

The GP added that government statements and the press were "undermining patient confidence in the service".

When the post was shared on neighbourhood website Nextdoor, some Brixton residents argued that the message was "inappropriate" and "political", and should not have been sent to patients.

One resident accused the practice of "soap-boxing" to its patients.

However, others argued that it was not the fault of Brixton Hill that services were under so much pressure and that the government should do more to support the NHS.

In its message to patients, Brixton Hill GP said: "I am sure you will be aware that the workload for general practice continues to increase.

"Even though morale is low and we are having to manage with high levels of staff shortages due to ill health and stress, we have managed to increase appointment numbers.

"Sadly, government and press statements concerning face-to-face appointments [are] undermining patient confidence in the service and pitting some patients against their GP practices.

"Even with these challenges, we shall continue to put patient care first. Thank you for understanding."

When the message was sent on Nextdoor it drew a strong reaction from residents.

The person that shared a screenshot of the post said: "I appreciate, like the vast majority of the country, they are tired and over-worked but wonder if anyone else finds this peculiar behaviour?

"Having to phone at 8am (not a minute earlier or later) to request an appointment has already driven me to find another service, now the soap-boxing without consent is too much."

Many other users on the site agreed, with one writing: "It is a shame that the good work most GPs do gets ruined by some indulging their sense of moral worth by making political statements.

"But we live in a Lambeth one-party state run by wealthy champagne Socialists that keep people on lower incomes poor and divided from mainstream society so they keep voting Labour, reinforcing the moral worth of those in power. Sadly some doctors are of that group and its mentality."

However, many others on the site strongly disagreed with these views and blamed the Conservative government for not giving enough funding to GP practices like Brixton Hill.

One resident said: "This is also my surgery. Actually I was impressed that the surgery tries to defend itself against the government NHS onslaught.

"I can say that I've never been refused a face-to-face appointment at the surgery since the first lockdown.

"NHS has been defunded for a decade by the Conservatives now. We will miss it when it's gone!!! I'm so worried."

Another agreed, saying: "The government is underfunding the NHS, messing up the pandemic and then scapegoating GPs so that no one notices what a disaster they're making of everything.

"Your surgery is probably dealing with Daily Mail readers/other mouth-breathers wo think their GPs are work-shy.

"Why shouldn't they set the record straight and reassure their patients they're doing everything they can?"

Brixton Hill Group Practice was contacted for comment.

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