As someone who has personally experienced the distress and turmoil caused by a Doctor's misconduct within the NHS, I know all too well the psychological toll it can take on a patient. After lodging serious complaints, I found myself grappling with the emotional and psychological fallout of the situation and discovered there were no immediate pathways to psychological support provided by my GP surgery.

Invalidated; stone-walled, denial, systemic bias; even gaslit by those who were supposed to care during the complaints procedures only exacerbated the pre-existing trauma.

Why People Stonewall:

• Physiological flooding: In relationship (professional/personal) psychology (like the work of The Gottman Institute), stonewalling often happens when a person's nervous system becomes overwhelmed by stress, a racing heart, and fight-or-flight feelings - this is healthy as long as the person re-engages with you over the matter.
• Conflict avoidance: Some people shut down because they fear the argument will spiral out of control or they do not know how to handle strong emotions - this is healthy as long as the person re-engages with you over the matter.
• Control and manipulation: In other cases, it is used as a deliberate tool (like the silent treatment) to punish a person, win, or evade accountability as there maybe other 'agendas at play' - this is not healthy.  Brick wall - shut out.

Sometimes in authority, people just don't want to know; there could be conflicts of interests for instance, systemic bias, or flat out denial - but it's really easy to help alleviate someone elses' suffering; just listen to what is being said to you and do what's best for them.  They need to talk and be comforted and helped; not shunned or ignored.  They are in distress.

It's an unfortunate reality that many patients end up feeling overlooked, lost in a system that's supposed to protect and heal. The NHS, renowned for its dedication to patient care, must ensure that individuals who bravely come forward with complaints about their medical treatment or care providers are not left to cope alone.

In 2022, sadly, nearly 10,000 complaints were filed against medical professionals in the UK, highlighting a systemic issue where adequate post-incident support is not available.

When faced with such circumstances, the aftermath can leave patients feeling isolated and invalidated.  It is completely understandable for instance, to feel a strong dislike or fear of Doctors after experiencing or witnessing medical abuse or to isolate.  Medical trauma is a real and profound form of distress that can make seeking healthcare feel deeply unsafe.  The lack of guidance and specific behaviour of those you confide in, following an incident(s) of professional misconduct or negligence, merely exacerbates the psychological damage and hinders recovery.

Therefore, I call for all NHS GP surgeries to implement a standardized procedure for directing patients, who have made serious complaints about their medical treatment within a GP practice, to:

• First of all, BELIEVE them - their experience is real and valid otherwise they wouldn't be complaining.  You will know your 'patient' and their character so there should be no reason to doubt them;
• Do NOT gaslight; invent your own narrative or invalidate your patient - this is known as 'Double Abuse' and can lead to further trauma; complex PTSD;
• Objectively look at the perpretator straight away; don't just 'assume their version is the 'right one' due to varying reasons including ranking/conflicts of interests/systemic bias etc;
• Don't cover it up;
• Ensure and try to encourage the perpretator to direct an apology to the patient and face them; this will help;
• Place the Patient and Perpretator together, under supervision, at the relevant time to observe the dynamic - this is where you will see the truth of the matter.  If you fail to do this, the situation will undoubtedly worsen;
• Take notes;
• Signpost the patient to the appropriate mental health support services;
• Signpost the perpretator to the appropriate mental health services;
• Offer in house support as and when needed for the patient or at a space comfortable for them; could be via phone/in writing - be there;
• You are their care-giver; so care;
• The patient needs closure to heal - give it to them

By creating clear pathways to organisations equipped to provide the necessary psychological aid, we can greatly improve the recovery process and mental wellbeing of those affected.

It is important to note that trauma is only able to be released when the brain allows it to (could be delayed), so a surgery needs to be aware that a patient following disclosure of abuse to them may be ok - or appear to be on the surface, but that doesn't mean they are.  Sometimes people try to bury the trauma; avoid a situation or recover silently in their own way but eventually it surfaces - trauma responses are very complex and unpredictable.

Trauma recovery can be achieved by mandating specific training for GP practices on how to handle such reported cases effectively; looking inward and including comprehensive lists of local and national mental health service providers.  

Any disclosure of abuse should immediately be taken seriously; and result in a patient being referred to relevant support services - this can be difficult however, as a surgery might not wish reputational damage; certain individuals there may even engage in retaliations/DARVO so this may present an issue - however you are only hindering a patients' recovery by not helping them and by engaging in this practice; you are potentially opening the door for further misconduct down the line by failing to act now and be responsible. 

Reputation shouldn't and doesn't come before recovery.

The perpretator should offer an apology to the patient and demonstrate accountability - a surgery should enforce this as paramount.  An immediate action plan should be then placed against the perpretator so it doesn't happen again.  All incidents/complaints made by patients must be logged and actioned appropriately.  It isn't easy for someone coming forward in the first place and it takes great strength but they need your support.

Ensuring that patients are informed of their rights to support and how to access it should be a fundamental aspect of patient care.

Your signature can be the catalyst for change in the NHS, compelling them to take action for those whose mental health has been compromised from medical malpractice.  Let's stand together to protect future patients and ensure they find the solace and support they desperately need.  If you know someone who has been harmed within their care, and you want to help, then this petition is for you!

Please sign and share this petition to demand an NHS that truly cares beyond the cure.