Several years back, there were experiences at my local GP practice that left me feeling disheartened and upset.  I went in for necessary consultations, and instead of being treated with respect and care, I faced a barrage of sudden, harmful verbal abuse/disrespect and vertical abuse from the Doctor.  They frequently overlap.  I wanted an egalitarian relationship.   If a Doctor screams insults at a patient, they are committing both vertical abuse (due to the rank difference) and verbal abuse (due to the method of communication).

'Vertical abuse, describes abusive or bullying behavior between people at different levels of a hierarchical power structure'.

As it later transpired, there were other instances of it towards other vulnerable patients too which demonstrated a lack of oversight/prior action plan at the surgery - this person was being allowed to get away with it, which is why this petition has been started to ensure safeguarding and to act as a strong deterrant to warrant away other further potential psychological harm towards patients.

These incidents are not unique; stories of patients being mistreated in a similar manner are abound within GP and at times nothing is ever done about it due to internal 'issues', systemic bias, an unwillingness to act and conflicts of interest.  This is why I am calling for an essential change – the implementation of INFORMAL walkarounds for 'contentious' Doctors in GP practices across the UK following minimum reportee similar 2 patient/staff (both current and former) complaints made about them made to either the practice or the ICB over their conduct.

Two times is one too many.  Enough.

Key Goals and Purposes of 'Walkarounds':

• Patient Safety: Surface hidden errors, near misses, or systemic hazards directly from frontline staff;
• Culture Check: Evaluate psychological safety, team morale, and general workplace behavior;
• Bridging Gaps: Connect senior administration (the "blunt end") with daily clinical realities (the "sharp end");
• De-escalation: Provide a visible presence to monitor or diffuse tense environments and address disruptive behaviors early.

The role of General Practitioners is crucial in the NHS, yet the behaviour of some Doctors can profoundly affect patient care and trust.  Studies indicate that around 30% of patients in the UK have encountered disrespectful behaviour from healthcare professionals, leading to decreased trust and reluctance to seek medical help. This is both alarming and unacceptable. Every patient deserves to feel safe, valued, and heard when they visit their Doctor.

Informal walkarounds are simple, targeted and effective. This approach involves trained individuals (CQC amongst others) visiting GP practices unannounced to evaluate the general atmosphere, culture and recognize any patterns of disrespectful behaviour.  These observers can gather data and provide constructive feedback to healthcare providers, encouraging them to improve their interaction with patients. This method is cost-effective, human resource friendly, and has proven successful in numerous other sectors where customer or client relations are paramount.

Internally, at the surgery, this problem can also be addressed by:

Informal 'walkarounds' to address a problematic physician - they should typically focus on these tactics and strategy:

Direct Observation

• Scheduling "random", unnanounced walkarounds during the doctor's active shift/working day (benefits: intercepts behavior firsthand without relying solely on anonymous reporting/complaints).

Real-Time Staff Check-ins

• Pulling nurses, resident GPs, salaried GPs, locums and administrative staff aside for brief, casual conversations (benefits - evaluates psychological safety and uncovers under-reported abuse/vertical and verbal abuse).

De-escalation Presence

• Having a senior clinician physically present on the floor (benefits - diffuses active tension and signals to the disruptive Doctor that their environment is being monitored).

We propose the NHS consider establishing an independent committee to oversee this implementation, working in collaboration with existing staff in GP surgeries; CQC, ICB to minimize operational disruptions. This committee can ensure transparency, fair assessments, and follow-up with specific action plans for individual improvement where necessary. The introduction of informal walkarounds would foster a positive, accountable, and respectful environment, ultimately enhancing patient satisfaction and care.

We urge the NHS and healthcare regulatory bodies to prioritize patient dignity and trust as cornerstones of their operations. By signing and sharing this petition, you can help us demand a healthcare system where patients are treated with the utmost respect and courtesy. Let’s stand up for the humane treatment we all deserve when seeking medical attention.

Please sign and share the petition to support this crucial change.