'Bring back the rainbows' - top Scottish GP asks patients to 'be kind' as staff struggle with Covid workload

A top Scottish GP has asked members of the public to be kinder to staff at GP surgeries and all health workers, as he says many are facing abuse from frustrated patients due to Covid delays.

GP practice staff are facing abuse, said Dr Buist.

Dr Andrew Buist, Chair of the Scottish General Practitioners Committee at the BMA, will ask the Scottish Government to introduce better public messaging to manage expectations around GP services during the pandemic at the Scottish Local Medical Committee Conference on Friday morning.

Speaking ahead of the conference he said the public mood has changed, from rainbows and celebrations of the NHS in the spring and summer to frustrations that services have still not returned to normal.

“The public have been through a huge amount this year, as have we all. In terms of health services it’s been really difficult,” he said.

"At first they were quite fearful of Covid when it struck and we saw what was happening in Italy in Spain, and the lockdown happened here.

"Once they got over the fear they became quite grateful, there was a celebration of the NHS. We're all aware of the evenings where people went to their front door to clap, and just about every second house had a rainbow in the window.

"But I think as the summer has worn on the mood has changed. People are getting tired of what's happening, perhaps as the economic situation is biting and jobs are being lost, the weather is changing.

"Everything's turning a bit more gloomy, people are frustrated. Sometimes they take that frustration out on people that are trying to help them. In particular, reception staff at doctors surgeries are quite easy targets for this.”

He added: "The public want their health service back, but because of the virus and social distancing and PPE, everything is taking longer so the service is not normal, even though the service is open."

Dr Buist said patients often ask him how long waiting lists are for elective care and specialist investigations, but he does not know the answers and can only judge based on the last time he referred someone.

GP surgeries are open, but must currently prioritise ‘red-flag’ symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, a lump on the breast, or bleeding from an orifice, he said.

“We need to do more, at an individual level, one-to-one with a patient, but we also feel that at a national level we need to engage with the public,” he said.

"You can’t win round everybody, but if they understand what's going on then the majority will say ‘fair enough’.”

"If I had one key message I’d ask for people to be kind, and bring back the rainbows, really. That period we had in the summer made it a lot easier for people who are trying to do their best providing the service.”

The news comes as Scotland;s senior medical director confirmed all over-50s will be offered a vaccine by next summer.

Dr Buist’s opening speech at the conference on Friday will be followed by remarks from Health Secretary Jeane Freeman.

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