Frontline medical staff at a GP surgery have been equipped with personal panic buttons following a disturbing wave of threats and aggressive behaviour from patients, the Mirror can reveal.
The safety measures were implemented after practice manager Claire Ginnelly reported multiple terrifying incidents that left staff fearing for their safety. "We've had death threats, we've had people leaning over the counter being physically intimidating," she disclosed.
Growing Safety Concerns
The situation became so severe that staff now carry personal safety alarms that can be activated if they feel threatened. This drastic step highlights the increasing dangers facing healthcare workers across the UK.
Ms Ginnelly described the emotional toll on her team: "Staff have been left in tears, they've been left shaken, they've been left not wanting to come into work." The constant stress has created an atmosphere of fear within the practice.
Broader NHS Crisis
This alarming case reflects a wider crisis within the National Health Service. Recent NHS England data reveals that approximately 4% of staff experienced physical violence from patients or members of the public in the past year alone.
The British Medical Association has repeatedly warned about the escalating security risks facing healthcare professionals, calling for better protection and support for staff dealing with aggressive behaviour.
Staff Speak Out
One staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their daily anxiety: "You never know when a routine appointment might turn confrontational. The panic buttons provide some reassurance, but nobody should need them in a healthcare setting."
Practice manager Ginnelly emphasised the heartbreaking reality: "We come to work to help people, not to be abused and threatened. This has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt."
