Kent GPs on the frontline of the coronavirus battle are urging people to stop panicking - as surgeries become overwhelmed by anxious patients.

While supermarket shelves across the county have been stripped of toilet rolls, doctors say there has been a similar "panic buying frenzy" on prescription medications.

Surgeries are also coming under pressure from people ordering inhalers "just in case" they contract the disease - even though they would be of no use.

And GPs are having to deal with a "tsunami" of requests for sick notes, taking up more valuable time.

Canterbury GP Dr John Allingham said: "All practices are being overwhelmed by contact from anxious patients. Some are ill and some are fearful of whether they are at risk and what they should do.

"In amongst this there is a toilet roll-style panic buying frenzy on prescription medications.

"At Canterbury Medical Practice this week we have had a run on repeat prescription requests that is taking up a lot of staff time when we are already at reduced capacity because of the number of our team members self-isolating or unwell."

He warned that pharmacies are under similar pressure.

"We have had some anxious calls from frail patients who normally get their medicines delivered and now can't because the pharmacies are having to curtail services," he said.

Dr Allingham is urging people not to request medication unless they really need it - as a shortage could put others at risk.

"A lot of people are ordering medications they haven't had for some time 'just in case' they need them," he said.

"In particular many who have occasionally used an inhaler for a wheeze or mild asthma in the past are ordering them.

"These inhalers will not help prevent Covid-19 or relieve the effects of it.

"It is likely many of these inhalers will sit in drawers and go out of date unused.

"Not only is it a waste of NHS resources but it will threaten the supply chain and then folk who really need inhalers will not be able to get them."

Dr Allingham says people needing sick notes should use NHS 111 online to verify their absence electronically.

He warned: "Imagine the scenario where we are short of GPs because they are off sick, while those that are left are overwhelmed with the sick patients in the community - and those that are self-isolating are demanding a tsunami of forms to justify absence."

Dr Julian Spinks talks to KMTV

Dr Allingham's warning has been echoed by Medway GP Dr Julian Spinks.

"We are seeing more requests for early repeat prescriptions - this presents a real problem," Dr Spinks told KMTV.

"The supply of medication is based on what's used most of the time.

"So if you suddenly double the number of people needing medication at one time, just like [with] the toilet rolls the shelves become empty and there's a risk people won't get the medication they need.

"And if they just order on time as they normally would, then there's plenty out there to actually supply what they need."

How you can help

Dr Allingham says: "If folk want something practical to do, then volunteers who are young and fit who can collect the prescriptions of the vulnerable will be valuable.

"This is happening but there are some isolated people who are being missed."

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