BBC doctor’s ‘it really worries me’ warning over ‘growing’ health problem
Dr Punam Krishan, a regular on BBC’s Morning Live and an NHS GP, has issued a stark warning about a growing issue she is encountering ‘more and more’ in her profession. The doctor took to Instagram, where she boasts a following of 127,000, to alert people about the problem.
She highlighted the increasing prevalence of medical scams, which she believes are becoming a more significant issue than ever before, reports Bristol Live.
“I just wanted to pop on really quickly and talk about something I’m seeing more and more of as a doctor and something that really worries me, and that is health scams, because there’s been a real rise in them recently,” she said.
“So what kind of health scams are actually doing the rounds at the minute? Well, the first big one, believe it or not, is fake GP calls. This is people being told to press a button to update their personal details urgently or they’ll be removed from their GP list.
“Now, NHS boards across Scotland have already put out warnings about this. But really to reassure you that your GP practice, they will never ask you for bank details over the phone. They will never threaten to remove you from the list if you don’t press a button or will they ever ask you for payment to stay registered. The thing is that these kind of tactics are designed to create a sense of panic So if a call feels off, it’s too urgent, it’s too pushy, or it just doesn’t sound like how your practice would normally communicate with you, then trust your instincts.
“Honestly, a genuine GP practice will also never mind you double checking with them. In fact, they would encourage it if you were worried.
“Now, another growing issue is AI doctor deepfakes. Now, these are very realistic videos of so-called doctors who are giving out health care advice or they’re selling medical cures. Now, some use AI to actually mimic real clinicians’ faces and voices without their consent. “If someone online is selling a product directly or they’re making big promises and claims, that is a real red flag. Real health care does not rely on pressure or emotive medical language.”
Dr Punam also highlighted the enormous number of advertisements for medical products which proliferate, particularly on social media platforms.
She explained they were frequently aimed at individuals who are either vulnerable or desperate for solutions. She encouraged people to remain deeply sceptical of products that pledged miraculous outcomes, stating if it appears too good to be true, it probably is.
“Then we have fake online pharmacies, and this is becoming a massive issue across the world,” she continued. “These sites often look completely legit. They’re clean websites, they’ve got medical-looking branding, but they’re not actually registered.
“And the thing is, when you’re ordering these things, you simply don’t know what’s actually in these medicines when they come to you. Some products have actually been tested by the MHRA and they were found to contain wrong doses or even unsafe toxic chemicals and ingredients. If you’re ever buying medication online please please please check for the green MHRA pharmacy logo. If it doesn’t have this, this is not from a real pharmacy nor has that drug been approved.
“Now, when it comes to your health, the safest information will always, always, always come from trusted evidence-based places. So I’m talking about things like the NHS, NHS Inform if you’re in Scotland, you’ve got your big medical charities, examples of that are Cancer Research UK, the British Heart Foundation, Asthma Lung UK to name a few. The thing is that these organisations are updated regularly, they are transparent about risks and benefits, and most of all, they’re not trying to sell you anything. “If you see medical advice online, just take a moment to cross check it for yourself. If it is legitimate, you will find similar guidance on one of those trusted, reputable websites.
“And if someone claims to be a doctor, you can always check their name on the GMC register to make sure that they are the real deal. A real clinician will never ever mind you verifying who they are.
“Being scammed is horrible. It is a real shock to the system, especially if you’ve handed over your personal details or large amounts of money without realising it. That moment of panic, the, ‘oh my gosh, what have I done?’ It can hit you hard, both emotionally and physically. Your heart can race, your stomach drops, You might feel shaky, you might feel sick or lightheaded with chest tightness. That is your body reacting to sudden shock and stress. And it is completely and utterly understandable. Now, please remember that you are not alone. It can happen to absolutely anyone. ! And if that shock leaves you feeling unwell afterwards, especially if you’re experiencing chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness, anything like that at all, then get urgent medical help. Stay vigilant and stay kind to yourself.!”.
