THE NHS in Devon says staff are being reduced to tears by aggressive and threatening patients, as it issues a powerful appeal for more respect from the public.

As winter bites, doctors, nurses, other health professionals and support teams have reported a rise in swearing and abusive language; threatening and aggressive behaviour; and even stones and eggs being thrown at healthcase premises.

They are pleading for patients to show them patience and kindness.

Exeter GP Dr Paul Hynam who is medical secretary for Devon Local Medical Committee (LMC) said: `In recent months we’ve had tomatoes, eggs and stones thrown at our windows and a patient threatening to come and infect our staff with covid because they were unable to do what he asked.’

The LMC says that this summer 12 Devon GP practice managers gave notice in the space of just six weeks, citing abuse from patients was one of the reasons for leaving their job. Staff in Devon’s hospitals are also reporting increased abusive behaviour from patients andtheir families.

Emergency Department consultant Dr Tony Hudson, who works at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, said: ’Along with the other NHS services in Devon, we continue to be extremely busy and we’re really grateful to the majority of our patients who understand the pressures we are under. Unfortunately, a small minority of people are verbally or physically abusive towards us. We appreciate that it can sometimes feel frustrating, but we do everything we can to get people the care they need as quickly as possible while ensuring those with the most urgent needs are prioritised.’

Figures from April to June show 453 recorded incidents of abuse of staff in Devon’s hospitals but many incidents are thought to go unreported.

Dr Alex Degan, NHS Devon’s primary care medical director, said: ’Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure people get the care that they need and are vaccinated as soon as possible. The pandemic has made it harder to see as many people face to face and increased the waits people have for planned procedures.

’We know that people are anxious, frustrated and may be in pain and we thank patients and their families for not venting those emotions on the people who are working so hard to help them. Abuse and harassment of staff can increase stress related staff sickness and lead to people leaving their jobs; we do not tolerate intentionally abusive behaviour in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff.’

They warn that people who abuse or harass staff may be asked to leave and patients may be deregistered by their GP.