(Image: Google Maps / Street View)
An NHS trust has apologised after dozens of bizarre, offensive and anti-vaccine responses were posted from a health centre's Google account over a five-year period.
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust said a number of "unauthorised responses" had been left on reviews of Meanwood Health Centre and that it had now secured the account and regained control.
The responses, which appeared beneath reviews posted by patients, included insults, conspiracy theories and comments that could be interpreted as racist.
What did the responses say?
One reply to a patient who complained about long waits for blood test results for a six-year-old child stated: “Exquisite suffering is our aim.”
Several comments promoted anti-vaccine claims, with one referring to "adverse reactions to the killer jabs".
A parent who criticised the treatment of their autistic son received the response: “Wait till you get covid because you're vaxxed and give to an unsuspecting relative.”
One response said staff were paid to administer vaccines, stating: “That's because we get loads of money for giving him the vaccine and lots of other rubbish we get paid for.”
Another claimed: “We aim to put the microchip in all of our clients so they can be checked and processed by Bill Gates.”
Patients called 'parasites'
In a response to a patient review written in broken English, the account stated: “By your written English we surmise that you're not actually entitled NHS services. Please refer yourself to immigration authorities immediately and stop clogging up our superb medical services.”
Other comments included personal insults directed at patients, with reviewers described as “a parasite”, a “self centred little numpty” and a “pathetic old git”.
Some responses to positive reviews were equally bizarre, including: “We hope your massage business continues to its happy endings as usual”, “Since that slew of chemical lobotomies our front of house do smile a lot”, and “No words can sum up our glorious service and prostate examinations.”
Another reviewer was asked: “Why are you verbally challenged?”
Response from Trust
The messages appear to have been posted from 2021 to 2026, and were still publicly visible on the practice's Google page at the time of writing.
A spokesperson for Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust said: “Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust is aware that a number of unauthorised responses had been posted to reviews on the Meanwood Health Centre Google page.
“We have since secured the account and regained control of access, meaning no further unauthorised responses can be posted.
“We are working with Google to have the offensive content removed as quickly as possible and apologise for any offence caused.
“We are also undertaking a review of our account management arrangements to strengthen safeguards and reduce the risk of this happening again.”