Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey is asking residents to support their local GPs after receiving appeals for help from staff in a local GP practice.

“I am calling for calm and respect to be shown towards our frontline health professionals who are working long hours under stressful conditions to keep us safe.  Healthcare staff have reached out to me because they are being abused and harassed by patients who have not been able to access influenza vaccines or Covid-19 tests.

“This is disappointing at a time when we, as a community, should be supporting and thanking our essential services. I know many in our community are frightened but let’s please work together. Our GPs have done everything right but their hands are tied waiting on supplies at a time when messaging from the government is sending more patients to them in the expectation that these supplies are currently available.

“I will be raising this issue with Parliament’s Epidemic Response Committee,” Doocey said.