article_snippet: A group of patients who criticised their local GP surgery on Facebook   have been told to consider finding a new doctor in an attempt to stifle negative feedback online.
article_snippet: Staff at the Trent Meadows Medical Practice near Burton, Staffordshire, had been monitoring social media comments and culprits have since been sent 'threatening' letters.
article_snippet: But she was later accused of abusive behaviour by the surgery who branded it 'inappropriate patient behaviour' and warned she that she should consider finding an 'alternative practice'.
article_snippet: Jenny Wheeldon, left, and Sylvia Blackshaw, right with son Jake, have been told to consider finding a new GP after their surgery saw their criticism online .
article_snippet: Surgery staff were obviously monitoring comments on Facebook    and sent a letter on the back of this one .
article_snippet: A fortnight later a  letter sent to Mrs Blackshaw home from the surgery said: 'We have a zero tolerance for inappropriate patient behaviour which is either face to face, over the telephone or on social media networks and do not accept this from We patients.'
article_snippet: We have zero tolerance for inappropriate patient behaviour which is either face to face, over the telephone or on social media networks and do not accept this from We patients.'
article_snippet: Response: The surgery's management says that The surgery's management has a 'zero tolerance' on abuse and says patients should complain through patients .
article_snippet: A spokesman for Trent Meadows surgery said: 'While people do have a right to air people opinions on social media, practice staff feel we have a duty to protect the reputation of the practice from unfair criticism for the sake of we other patients and staff. '
article_snippet: Trent Meadows Medical Practice takes all patient comments seriously.
article_snippet: If any patient has a concern or complaint, we offer the opportunity to contact Trent Meadows surgery through its complaints procedure.'
article_snippet: Trent Meadows was one of the first GP practices in the country to be inspected and awarded a rating of 'good' by the inspectors.
highlights_snippet: Surgery near Burton has accused online critics of 'inappropriate behaviour'
  Sylvia Blackshaw questioned positive report and received scolding letter .
  