On Wednesday, I was 1 of a number of Drs who posted a tweet in good faith, corroborated by a number of senior Paed colleagues, that turned out to be inaccurate. I apologise again to anyone who I inadvertently triggered, offended or alarmed.
1/n
1/n
It turned out to be inaccurate, & as soon as I could I deleted it, retracted & clarified it. For whatever reason, it was my tweet that gained traction, reaching a larger audience than I could have imagined.
Unfortunately, I then had no choice but to lock my account due to…
2/n
Unfortunately, I then had no choice but to lock my account due to…
2/n
…my receiving 100s of messages of abuse including threats to my own children.
I have received criticism for not deleting the tweet sooner. Ironically I was caring for my own kids & took it down as soon as I had an opportunity to do so.
3/n
I have received criticism for not deleting the tweet sooner. Ironically I was caring for my own kids & took it down as soon as I had an opportunity to do so.
3/n
I have engaged privately with those who challenged respectfully. If I’ve missed you out, I apologise.
It appears my tweet attracted mass abuse, (based upon the profiles of those who have propagated such) by appearing to insinuate it was due to Covid. It was not.
4/n
It appears my tweet attracted mass abuse, (based upon the profiles of those who have propagated such) by appearing to insinuate it was due to Covid. It was not.
4/n
It was about the RSV outbreak & the critical lack of capacity in the NHS right now.
It was about the lack of workforce resilience; the unrealistic expectations being placed upon them; that workforce not feeling safe and not feeling supported.
5/n
It was about the lack of workforce resilience; the unrealistic expectations being placed upon them; that workforce not feeling safe and not feeling supported.
5/n
To those who have chosen to submit formal complaints to my employers, my surgery, my regulator, my RO, and my trade union - you are targeting the wrong person. Your actions will not change who I am or what I choose to say.
6/n
6/n
The Nolan Principles of Public Life frame every fibre of my practise & person. I strive to act with the utmost integrity. But I’m human & on this occasion judgment was lacking, I was poorly informed & I hold my hands up. But don’t think you will silence me.
7/n
7/n
The point remains: Resources & capacity are incredibly stretched in every Trust & GP practice in England. CAMHS consultants remind us that 0 child mental health beds across England is a frequent occurrence. If you want to get angry, get angry for those kids & their families.
8/n
8/n
Is there an honest discussion taking place with the public? No.
Has the DH or NHSEI written out to support the workforce acknowledging the crisis? Not to my knowledge.
This should be on the front pages of the papers and we all should be concerned.
9/n
Has the DH or NHSEI written out to support the workforce acknowledging the crisis? Not to my knowledge.
This should be on the front pages of the papers and we all should be concerned.
9/n
The NHS was being failed prior to Covid. The pandemic has just exacerbated an existing burgeoning issue and expedited it into a crisis.
10/n
10/n
If you come for me with your anti-mask, anti-lockdown, anti-vaccine, #projectfear warped belief system, I will not waste my time engaging with you. So value your time/effort accordingly.
Focus your energies on protecting the NHS because you never know when you’ll need it.
11/n
Focus your energies on protecting the NHS because you never know when you’ll need it.
11/n
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
